Step 1: Let's denote Jacob's original salary as X.

Step 2: Jacob saves 40% of his salary, so his savings are 0.4X.

Step 3: If his salary decreases by 10%, his new salary is 0.9X.

Step 4: His savings would then be 40% of this new salary, or 0.4 * 0.9X = 0.36X.

Step 5: We know that this amount is $200 less than his original savings. So, 0.4X - 0.36X = $200.

Step 6: Simplifying the left side of the equation gives 0.04X = $200.

Step 7: Solving for X, we divide both sides of the equation by 0.04. This gives X = $200 / 0.04 = $5000.

So, Jacob's original salary was $5000.

Question

Step 1: Let's denote Jacob's original salary as X.

Step 2: Jacob saves 40% of his salary, so his savings are 0.4X.

Step 3: If his salary decreases by 10%, his new salary is 0.9X.

Step 4: His savings would then be 40% of this new salary, or 0.4 * 0.9X = 0.36X.

Step 5: We know that this amount is $200 less than his original savings. So, 0.4X - 0.36X = $200.

Step 6: Simplifying the left side of the equation gives 0.04X = $200.

Step 7: Solving for X, we divide both sides of the equation by 0.04. This gives X = $200 / 0.04 = $5000.

So, Jacob's original salary was $5000.

Knowee AI · Accepted Answer