Lynn, Lucy and Xandra had 1260 marbles. Lucy won some of the marbles from Lynn and as a result, Lucy's marbles increased by 50%. Xandra then won some marbles from Lucy and Xandra's marbles increased by 75%. Finally, Xandra lost some of her marbles to Lynn and Lynn's marbles increased by 25%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of marbles. How many percent less did Lynn have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Lynn	Lucy	Xandra
1260
	2 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	3 u
		4 p
	- 3 p	+ 3 p
		7 p
4 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
5 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

50% = ⁵⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₂
75% = ⁷⁵₁₀₀ = ³₄
25% = ²⁵₁₀₀ = ¹₄

Working backwards.

3 groups = 1260

1 group = 1260 ÷ 3 = 420

1 group = 5 boxes
5 boxes = 420

1 box = 420 ÷ 5 = 84

1 group + 1 box = 7 p
420 + 84 = 7 p
7 p = 504

1 p = 504 ÷ 7 = 72

3 p = 3 x 72 = 216

1 group + 3 p = 3 u
420 + 216 = 3 u
3 u = 636

1 u = 636 ÷ 3 = 212

Number of marbles that Lynn had at first
= 4 boxes + 1 u
= (4 x 84) + 212
= 336 + 212
= 548

Percent that Lynn had less in the end than at first
= ^{548 - 420}₅₄₈ x 100%
≈ 23.4%

Answer(s): 23.4%