PSLE
Linda spent $560 in September. This amount was a 20% decrease from what she spent in August. The amount she spent in October was a 15% increase from what she spent in September.

1. What was the total amount that Linda spent from August to October?
2. What was the percentage decrease in the amount Linda spent in October compared to August?

	Spending
August	100%
Change	- 20%
September	80%	100 u
Change		+ 15 u
October		115 u

(a)
Spending in August = 100%
Spending in September = 100% - 20% = 80%

80% = 560

1% = 560 ÷ 80 = 7

Spending in August
= 100% 
= 100 x 7
= $700

Spending in September = 100 u
Spending in October = 100 u + 15 u = 115 u 

100 u = 560

1 u = 560 ÷ 100 = 5.6

Spending in October
= 115 u
= 115 x 5.6
= $644

Total spending from August to October
= 700 + 560 + 644
= $1904

(b)
Decrease in spending in October compared to August
= 700 - 644 
= $56

Percentage decrease
= ^{Decrease in spending}_{Spending in August} x 100%
= ⁵⁶₇₀₀ x 100%
= 8%

Answer(s): (a) $1904; (b) 8%