question about a formula

[turlisk]

so the question is exactly as reads.

john pays $70 for a new coat, which is 35% of the original cost. What is the original cost?

so i of course implied simple math which was he save 65% off the coat so if you take 70 and multiply it by .65 you would get the amount he saved and then you add it to 70. upon checking the multiple choice answers that is not correct.

it says the answer in the back (this is a study guide) is as follows:

70=(0.35)(x) which then breaks into a fraction of 70/.35 =X then says x=200

can someone please break this down and explain to me why multiplying the 70$ by 65% would not give me a correct answer?

 

[galactus]

Because they are two different things. You are just taking 65% of 70. Which is .65(70)=45.5

The problem says that $70 is 35% of the original cost. Therefore, the original cost will have to be more than 70, because 70 is only 35% of what it cost originally.

Let x=the original amount. Then, that amount times 35% must equal 70.

.35x=70

70/.35=200

 

[turlisk]

that make more sense now.. thanks.