Question

The cost of living last year went up 7%. Fortunately, Alice Swanson got a 7% raise in her salary from last year. This year she's earning $42,805. How much did she make last year?

Answer 1

100% - 42,805$ - her salary now.
7% - ? $ - her raise.
Decide by proportion:
1)
`(42,805*7)/(100)`=2,99635$ - 7% of raise.
2) 42,805-2,99635=39,80865$ - she did make last year.
Reply: 39,80865$ she did make last year.

Answer 2

Let x represent the money she earned last year.

`42805=x+.07x\\ 42805=1.07x\\ (42805)/(1.07) = (1.07x)/(1.07) \\40,004.67=x`