If a number is increased by 15% and then decreased by 15%, the result is what fraction of the original value?

If a number is increased by 15% and then decreased by 15%, the result is what fraction of the original value?

• A. 0.9775 times the original
• B. 1.15 times the original
• C. 0.85 times the original
• D. 0.765 times the original

Answer: (A)

Increasing by 15% and then decreasing by 15% multiplies the original amount by 1.15 first, then by 0.85 on that new amount. Multiply the factors: 1.15 × 0.85 = 0.9775. So the final value is 0.9775 times the original (about 97.75% of the original). The matching choice is the one that states 0.9775 times the original.

Increasing by 15% and then decreasing by 15% multiplies the original amount by 1.15 first, then by 0.85 on that new amount. Multiply the factors: 1.15 × 0.85 = 0.9775. So the final value is 0.9775 times the original (about 97.75% of the original). The matching choice is the one that states 0.9775 times the original.