By selling his car for $12 000, Mr. Green lost 25%. (Note that here selling price = cost price - loss.) How much did Mr. Green pay for his car?

1 Answer
Jul 6, 2018

#$16,000#

Explanation:

Given: sold car for #$12,000#, lost #25%# of original value.

Since: #"Selling Price " = " cost" - "loss"#, substitute in known values and create variables that are not known:

variables: #C# = cost, #L# = loss

#12000 = C - L#

#" note: "25 % = 25/100 = .25 " and " L = .25C#

#12000 = C - .25 C#

#12000 = .75C#

#C = 12000/.75 = $16,000#