Final answer:
The original value of Tyler's savings bond before the 4% yearly increase was $150. This was calculated by dividing the known value after one year ($156) by 1.04.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the original value of Tyler's savings bond before the 4% increase, we need to perform a simple calculation that reverses the increase. We know the bond value after one year is $156, which represents 104% of the original value (the 100% initial value plus the 4% increase). To find the original value, we divide the current value by 1.04 (which represents 104% expressed as a decimal).
Original Value = Final Value / (1 + Percentage Increase)
Original Value = $156 / 1.04
Original Value = $150
Therefore, the original purchase value of the bond was $150.