In August, Paul gave his wife, Erika, $6000 for household expenditure. Erika spent 60% of the sum on rental, 20% on food and saved the rest. In September, Paul reduced the sum he gave to Erika. Erika spent the same amount on rental and reduced the amount she spent on food by 20%. She saved the remaining 20% of the sum given to her in September. By what percentage was the sum given to Erika reduced by?

	Rental	Food	Savings	Total
Before	60%	20%	20%	$6000
Change		- 4%	- ?	- ?
After	60%	16%
Comparing the amounts spent in September	80 u		20 u	100 u

Amount that Paul saved in percent
= 100% - 60% - 20%
= 20%

Amount that Paul reduced on food in percent
= 20% x 20%
= ²⁰₁₀₀ x 20
= 4%

Total amount that Paul spent on rental and food in percent
= 60% + 16%
= 76%

100% → 6000

1% → 6000 ÷ 100 = 60

76% → 76 x  60 = 4560

The total amount that Paul spent on rental and food is repeated. 

80 u = 76% 

80 u = 4560

1 u = 4560 ÷ 80 = 57

Amount that Paul gave to Erika in September
= 100 u
= 100 x 57
= $5700

Amount that Erika received less from Paul from August to September
= 6000 - 5700
= $300

Percentage that the sum given to Erika was reduced by from August to September
= ³⁰⁰₆₀₀₀ x 100%
= 5%

Answer(s): 5%