Linda, Emily and Elyse had 702 cards. Emily won some of the cards from Linda and as a result, Emily's cards increased by 25%. Elyse then won some cards from Emily and Elyse's cards increased by 50%. Finally, Elyse lost some of her cards to Linda and Linda's cards increased by 20%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of cards. How many percent less did Linda have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Linda	Emily	Elyse
702
	4 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	5 u
		2 p
	- 1 p	+ 1 p
		3 p
5 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
6 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

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

Working backwards.

3 groups = 702

1 group = 702 ÷ 3 = 234

1 group = 6 boxes
6 boxes = 234

1 box = 234 ÷ 6 = 39

1 group + 1 box = 3 p
234 + 39 = 3 p
3 p = 273

1 p = 273 ÷ 3 = 91

1 p = 1 x 91 = 91

1 group + 1 p = 5 u
234 + 91 = 5 u
5 u = 325

1 u = 325 ÷ 5 = 65

Number of cards that Linda had at first
= 5 boxes + 1 u
= (5 x 39) + 65
= 195 + 65
= 260

Percent that Linda had less in the end than at first
= ^{260 - 234}₂₆₀ x 100%
≈ 10.0%

Answer(s): 10.0%