Final answer:
To determine the percentage by which the number was reduced, you can use the formula for percentage decrease. In this case, the percentage decrease is 45%. The correct answer is b) 45%.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the percentage by which you reduced the number, you can calculate the percentage decrease using the formula:
Percentage decrease = ((Initial value - Final value) / Initial value) * 100
In this case, the initial value is 400 and the final value is 220.
Thus, the percentage decrease = ((400 - 220) / 400) * 100 = (180 / 400) * 100 = 0.45 * 100 = 45%.
Therefore, you reduced the number by 45%, so the correct answer is b) 45%.