16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumPercent increase followed by a subtraction

Algebra practice question

A number is increased by 20%, and 15 is then subtracted from the result, giving 33. What is the original number?

Answer: 40

1.2n − 15 = 33 → 1.2n = 48 → n = 40.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 15
15 comes from 1.2n = 18, subtracting 15 instead of adding it.
If you answered 48
48 is 1.2n, the number after the increase.
If you answered 57.6
57.6 comes from multiplying 48 by 1.2 instead of dividing.

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