Victoria, Elyse and Cathy had 990 cards. Elyse won some of the cards from Victoria and as a result, Elyse's cards increased by 25%. Cathy then won some cards from Elyse and Cathy's cards increased by 40%. Finally, Cathy lost some of her cards to Victoria and Victoria's cards increased by 20%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of cards. How many percent less did Victoria have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Victoria	Elyse	Cathy
990
	4 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	5 u
		5 p
	- 2 p	+ 2 p
		7 p
5 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
6 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

25% = ²⁵₁₀₀ = ¹₄
40% = ⁴⁰₁₀₀ = ²₅
20% = ²⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₅

Working backwards.

3 groups = 990

1 group = 990 ÷ 3 = 330

1 group = 6 boxes
6 boxes = 330

1 box = 330 ÷ 6 = 55

1 group + 1 box = 7 p
330 + 55 = 7 p
7 p = 385

1 p = 385 ÷ 7 = 55

2 p = 2 x 55 = 110

1 group + 2 p = 5 u
330 + 110 = 5 u
5 u = 440

1 u = 440 ÷ 5 = 88

Number of cards that Victoria had at first
= 5 boxes + 1 u
= (5 x 55) + 88
= 275 + 88
= 363

Percent that Victoria had less in the end than at first
= ^{363 - 330}₃₆₃ x 100%
≈ 9.1%

Answer(s): 9.1%