In March, Howard gave his wife, Hilda, $4000 for household expenditure. Hilda spent 60% of the sum on rental, 20% on food and saved the rest. In April, Howard reduced the sum he gave to Hilda. Hilda spent the same amount on rental and reduced the amount she spent on food by 20%. She saved the remaining 20% of the sum given to her in April. By what percentage was the sum given to Hilda reduced by?

	Rental	Food	Savings	Total
Before	60%	20%	20%	$4000
Change		- 4%	- ?	- ?
After	60%	16%
Comparing the amounts spent in April	80 u		20 u	100 u

Amount that Howard saved in percent
= 100% - 60% - 20%
= 20%

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

Total amount that Howard spent on rental and food in percent
= 60% + 16%
= 76%

100% → 4000

1% → 4000 ÷ 100 = 40

76% → 76 x  40 = 3040

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

80 u = 76% 

80 u = 3040

1 u = 3040 ÷ 80 = 38

Amount that Howard gave to Hilda in April
= 100 u
= 100 x 38
= $3800

Amount that Hilda received less from Howard from March to April
= 4000 - 3800
= $200

Percentage that the sum given to Hilda was reduced by from March to April
= ²⁰⁰₄₀₀₀ x 100%
= 5%

Answer(s): 5%