Question

The number of measles cases decreased by 9% to 508 cases this year. What was the number of cases prior to the increase? Express your answer rounded correctly to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

To find the number of measles cases prior to the decrease, subtract the 9% decrease from the current number of cases. Then, round the result to the nearest whole number.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the number of measles cases prior to the decrease, we need to calculate the original number before the 9% decrease.

Let's assume that the original number of cases is x.

The decrease of 9% can be represented as 0.09x.

The current number of cases after the decrease is 508, so we can set up the equation:

x - 0.09x = 508

Simplifying the equation:

0.91x = 508

Dividing both sides by 0.91:

x ≈ 557.14

Rounding x to the nearest whole number:

x ≈ 557

Therefore, the number of cases prior to the decrease was approximately 557.