In 1995, the Jims spent $800 on the family’s water bills. Anticipating that water rates would increase in 1996 by 50%, the Jims cut back their water usage. By how much must the Jims have reduce their 1996 water usage to pay exactly the same amount in 1996 as they paid in 1995? Select.
A) a)	33 1/3 %
B) b)	40 %
C) c) 50 %
D) d)	66 2/3 %
E) e)	100 %
Let x be the water usage and c be the cost water of Jims.   We have   xc =800, c=800/x   Y(1.5c)=800 where Y is the water usage in 1996   Y= 800/ (1.5*800/x)= 1/1.5x=2/3x   Thus reduction will be x-2/3x=1/3x=a)	33 1/3 %
<result>A</result>
In 1995, the Jims spent $800 on the family’s water bills. Anticipating that water rates would increase in 1996 by 50%, the Jims cut back their water usage. By how much must the Jims have reduce their 1996 water usage to pay exactly the same amount in 1996 as they paid in 1995?