Nora, Raeann and Lynn had 1080 marbles. Raeann won some of the marbles from Nora and as a result, Raeann's marbles increased by 20%. Lynn then won some marbles from Raeann and Lynn's marbles increased by 60%. Finally, Lynn lost some of her marbles to Nora and Nora's marbles increased by 25%. In the end, they realised that they each had an equal number of marbles. How many percent less did Nora have in the end than what she had at first? Correct your answer to 1 decimal place.

Nora	Raeann	Lynn
1080
	5 u
- 1 u	+ 1 u
	6 u
		5 p
	- 3 p	+ 3 p
		8 p
4 boxes
+ 1 box		- 1 box
5 boxes
1 group	1 group	1 group

20% = ²⁰₁₀₀ = ¹₅
60% = ⁶⁰₁₀₀ = ³₅
25% = ²⁵₁₀₀ = ¹₄

Working backwards.

3 groups = 1080

1 group = 1080 ÷ 3 = 360

1 group = 5 boxes
5 boxes = 360

1 box = 360 ÷ 5 = 72

1 group + 1 box = 8 p
360 + 72 = 8 p
8 p = 432

1 p = 432 ÷ 8 = 54

3 p = 3 x 54 = 162

1 group + 3 p = 6 u
360 + 162 = 6 u
6 u = 522

1 u = 522 ÷ 6 = 87

Number of marbles that Nora had at first
= 4 boxes + 1 u
= (4 x 72) + 87
= 288 + 87
= 375

Percent that Nora had less in the end than at first
= ^{375 - 360}₃₇₅ x 100%
≈ 4.0%

Answer(s): 4.0%