PSLE
Linda spent $720 in February. This amount was a 10% decrease from what she spent in January. The amount she spent in March was a 30% increase from what she spent in February.

1. What was the total amount that Linda spent from January to March?
2. What was the percentage increase in the amount Linda spent in March compared to January?

	Spending
January	100%
Change	- 10%
February	90%	100 u
Change		+ 30 u
March		130 u

(a)
Spending in January = 100%
Spending in February = 100% - 10% = 90%

90% = 720

1% = 720 ÷ 90 = 8

Spending in January
= 100% 
= 100 x 8
= $800

Spending in February = 100 u
Spending in March = 100 u + 30 u = 130 u 

100 u = 720

1 u = 720 ÷ 100 = 7.2

Spending in March
= 130 u
= 130 x 7.2
= $936

Total spending from January to March
= 800 + 720 + 936
= $2456

(b)
Increase in spending in March compared to January
= 936 - 800
= $136

Percentage increase
= ^{Increase in spending}_{Spending in January} x 100%
= ¹³⁶₈₀₀ x 100%
= 17%

Answer(s): (a) $2456; (b) 17%