Final answer:
John's original height was 160 cm and his new height is 180 cm after a 12.5% increase, which equates to a 20 cm growth, making the correct answer D).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves a basic percentage increase problem in mathematics, which requires calculating John's original and new height after a 12.5% increase. To find the original height, we need to recognize that a 12.5% increase that corresponds to 20 cm means that 12.5% of the original height is equal to 20 cm. Therefore, to find the original height, we divide the increase by the percentage increase expressed as a decimal:
- Original Height = Increase / Percentage Increase
- Original Height = 20 cm / 0.125
- Original Height = 160 cm
Once we have the original height, we can calculate the new height by adding the increase:
- New Height = Original Height + Increase
- New Height = 160 cm + 20 cm
- New Height = 180 cm
Therefore, John's original height was 160 cm and his new height is 180 cm, making the correct answer D).