In February, Michael gave his wife, Rachel, $5000 for household expenditure. Rachel spent 50% of the sum on rental, 20% on food and saved the rest. In March, Michael reduced the sum he gave to Rachel. Rachel spent the same amount on rental and reduced the amount she spent on food by 20%. She saved the remaining 25% of the sum given to her in March. By what percentage was the sum given to Rachel reduced by?

	Rental	Food	Savings	Total
Before	50%	20%	30%	$5000
Change		- 4%	- ?	- ?
After	50%	16%
Comparing the amounts spent in March	75 u		25 u	100 u

Amount that Michael saved in percent
= 100% - 50% - 20%
= 30%

Amount that Michael reduced on food in percent
= 20% x 20%
= ²⁰₁₀₀ x 20
= 4%

Total amount that Michael spent on rental and food in percent
= 50% + 16%
= 66%

100% → 5000

1% → 5000 ÷ 100 = 50

66% → 66 x  50 = 3300

The total amount that Michael spent on rental and food is repeated. 

75 u = 66% 

75 u = 3300

1 u = 3300 ÷ 75 = 44

Amount that Michael gave to Rachel in March
= 100 u
= 100 x 44
= $4400

Amount that Rachel received less from Michael from February to March
= 5000 - 4400
= $600

Percentage that the sum given to Rachel was reduced by from February to March
= ⁶⁰⁰₅₀₀₀ x 100%
= 12%

Answer(s): 12%