Final answer:
To find the original number that decreased by 40% is 60, set up the equation x × (1 - 0.4) = 60. Solve for x to find that the original number is 100.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking for the original number that, when decreased by 40%, results in 60. To solve this, we can use the formula:
Original Number × (1 - Percentage Decrease) = Resulting Number
Let "x" be the original number. Then we translate the percentage decrease into decimal form by dividing 40 by 100, which equals 0.4. The equation becomes:
x × (1 - 0.4) = 60
Simplifying further:
x × 0.6 = 60
To find "x", divide both sides of the equation by 0.6:
x = 60 / 0.6
x = 100
Therefore, the original number that decreased by 40% equals 60 is 100.