Question

A motorcycle manufacturer claims that its newest model is 15% lighter than last year's model. If this year's model weighs 799 lb., how much did last year's model weigh, in pounds?

Answer 1

Given:

Newest model is 15% lighter than last year's model.

This year's model weights 799 lb.

To find:

The last year's model weight, in pounds.

Solution:

Let x be the last year's model weight, in pounds. So, weight of this year model is

$x-\dfrac{15}{100}x=799$

$x-0.15x=799$

$0.85x=799$

Divide both sides by 0.85.

$x=\dfrac{799}{0.85}$

$x=940$

Therefore, last year's model weight is 940 pounds.