Answer:
3.68% decrease
Explanation:
12% increase = 112% of the original value
112% as a decimal = 112/100 = 1.12
14% decrease = 100% - 14% = 86% of the original value
86% as a decimal = 86/100 = 0.86
Therefore, if you increase the number n by 12% and then decrease by 14%:
n × 1.12 × 0.86 = n × 0.9632
0.9632 as a percentage = 0.9632 × 100 = 96.32%
Therefore, the overall percentage change is 100% - 96.32% = 3.68% decrease