Question

By what percent will a fraction change if its numerator is decreased by 20% and its denominator is decreased by 60%?

Answer 1

The fraction will increase by 100%

Explanation:

Say the fraction is x/y. The question is telling us to decrease x by 20% (i.e. 0.8x) and to decrease y by 60% (i.e. 0.4y):

`= (0.8x)/(0.4y)\\= 2 (\frac {x}{y})`

You can see that by applying these changes, the new fraction is actually double the old fraction (i.e. will increase by 100%).

Answer 2

50%

Explanation:

x=1x so 1-0.6=0.4x

y=1y so 1-0.2=0.8x

0.4x/0.8y

Simplify:

1x/2y= 0.5xy

0.5xy*100=50%

So it decreased by 50%