Mathilda is determined to pay back the money she owes a friend so she decides to pay an initial installment of $125. If she still has 75% left to pay, how much did she owe originally?
How much did she originally pay? ** Percentage means per 100, so if she still owes 75%, she must have paid 100% - 75% = 25% of the original amount.
How much did she originally pay? ** 25% of the original amount = (25/100)*original amount = $125
How much did she originally pay? ** Multiplying both sides by (100/25) gives: original amount = (100/25)*$125 = $<<(100/25)*125=500>>500
#### 500