Lizzy: 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?.
Me: Hmmm, let me think. I think this is the detailed solution:
User
Percentage means per 100, so if she still owes 75%, she must have paid 100% - 75% = 25% of the original amount. 25% of the original amount = (25 / 100) * original amount = $125. Multiplying both sides by (100 / 25) gives: original amount = (100 / 25) * $125 = $500. Final answer: 500.
Assistant