Question

The population of a town increased by 15% in 2016, and decreased by 5% in 2017. If the population of the town was 60,000 in the beginning of 2016, then what was it at the end of 2017?

Answer 1

The population at the end of 2017 is 65,550

Explanation:

step 1; find the population at the end of 2016

if 60,000 increases by 15% therefore final % = 100 +15 =115%

Therefore 60,000 = 100%

? = 115%

by cross multiplication

={ (115 % x 60,000) /100} =69,000

Step 2: find the population at the end of 2017

if 69,000 decrease by 5% therefore the final% = 100 -5 =95%

Therefore 69000 = 100%

? = 95%

by cross multiplication

= 69000 x 95/100 = 65,550