A man's earnings increase by 25% in one year and increase by 60% in the next year. Going by this pattern, after 3 years, his total earnings would be 40000. What is his present earning?

16000

25% = \(\frac{1}{4}\)   let original value = 4 , increased value = 5

60% = \(\frac{8}{5}\)  let original value = 5 , increased  value = 8

after 3 years amount is = 40000

initial sum is

40000 × \(\frac{4}{5}\) × \(\frac{5}{8}\)×\(\frac{4}{5}\) = 16000