Usha, Cathy and Jane had 720 coins. Cathy won some of the coins from Usha and as a result, Cathy's coins increased by 20%. Jane then won some coins from Cathy and Jane's coins increased by 50%. Finally, Jane lost some of her coins to Usha and Usha's coins increased by 25%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of coins. How many percent less did Usha have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Usha	Cathy	Jane
720
	5 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	6 u
		2 p
	- 1 p	+ 1 p
		3 p
4 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
5 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

20% = ²⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₅
50% = ⁵⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₂
25% = ²⁵₁₀₀ = ¹₄

Working backwards.

3 groups = 720

1 group = 720 ÷ 3 = 240

1 group = 5 boxes
5 boxes = 240

1 box = 240 ÷ 5 = 48

1 group + 1 box = 3 p
240 + 48 = 3 p
3 p = 288

1 p = 288 ÷ 3 = 96

1 p = 1 x 96 = 96

1 group + 1 p = 6 u
240 + 96 = 6 u
6 u = 336

1 u = 336 ÷ 6 = 56

Number of coins that Usha had at first
= 4 boxes + 1 u
= (4 x 48) + 56
= 192 + 56
= 248

Percent that Usha had less in the end than at first
= ^{248 - 240}₂₄₈ x 100%
≈ 3.2%

Answer(s): 3.2%