When 42 is subtracted from a number, the result is 86% of the number. What is the number?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 300
If what is left is 86% of the number, then the 42 taken away is the other 14%.
\(14\%\) of the number \(=42\)
Number \(\displaystyle =\frac{42\times100}{14}=300\)
Check: \(300-42=258\), which is 86% of 300
The number is 300.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) 280 — Incorrect. 280 − 42 \(=238\), which is 85% of 280, not 86%.
Option (2) 84 — Incorrect. 84 − 42 \(=42\), which is 50% of 84, not 86%.
Option (4) 350 — Incorrect. 350 − 42 \(=308\), which is 88% of 350, not 86%.