Answer:
The original number was 18.1.
Explanation:
This question can be solved using a simple rule of three.
When a number is decreased by 17% the result is 15.
So 15 is 100-17 = 83%. The original number is 100%. Then
15 - 0.83
x - 1
![0.83x = 15](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/college/wd9aogcw1qe7ot9t8vsc8cxk7mhmg65bzg.png)
![x = (15)/(0.83)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/college/w0f6ktsm3acfymm8fbzp21re31vp4hzrxy.png)
![x = 18.1](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/college/zyvrojmdp6kam7h36zahvnr8oytc13eiyy.png)
The original number was 18.1.