Question

Suppose an amount increases by 50%, then decreases by 50%. Will the amount after the decrease be the same as the original amount? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

No. The amount is getting larger when you increase by 50% therefore 50% of the new number is larger than 50% of the original. When you decrease by the new 50% it will be less than the original.

For example, say your amount is 12. 50% of 12 is 6.

If you increase by 50%, your new amount is 18.

50% of 18 is 9.

Decreasing by 9 is 9, which is not equal to 12.