Cindy, Jean and Julie had 1134 beads. Jean won some of the beads from Cindy and as a result, Jean's beads increased by 50%. Julie then won some beads from Jean and Julie's beads increased by 40%. Finally, Julie lost some of her beads to Cindy and Cindy's beads increased by 20%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of beads. How many percent less did Cindy have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Cindy	Jean	Julie
1134
	2 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	3 u
		5 p
	- 2 p	+ 2 p
		7 p
5 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
6 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

50% = ⁵⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₂
40% = ⁴⁰₁₀₀ = ²₅
20% = ²⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₅

Working backwards.

3 groups = 1134

1 group = 1134 ÷ 3 = 378

1 group = 6 boxes
6 boxes = 378

1 box = 378 ÷ 6 = 63

1 group + 1 box = 7 p
378 + 63 = 7 p
7 p = 441

1 p = 441 ÷ 7 = 63

2 p = 2 x 63 = 126

1 group + 2 p = 3 u
378 + 126 = 3 u
3 u = 504

1 u = 504 ÷ 3 = 168

Number of beads that Cindy had at first
= 5 boxes + 1 u
= (5 x 63) + 168
= 315 + 168
= 483

Percent that Cindy had less in the end than at first
= ^{483 - 378}₄₈₃ x 100%
≈ 21.7%

Answer(s): 21.7%