The length and the breadth of a rectangle are made to increase and decrease, respectively, by 8% and 10%. What is the percentage increase or decrease in its area?

Decrease by 2.8%

We know that,

Area of a rectangle = Length × Breadth

Length = 8% increase = \(\frac{27}{25}\)

Breadth = 10% decrease = \(\frac{9}{10}\)

According to the question,

Length         25           27

Breadth       10           9

              --------------------------

                   250          243

The decrease = 250 - 243 = 7

The decrease percentage = \(\frac{7}{250}\) × 100 = 2.8%