In 2008, a certain factory produced 40% more widgets than it did in 2007, and its production in 2009 was 130% of its production in 2008. By approximately what percent would its production need to decrease the following year for the factory to produce the same number of widgets it did in 2007? Choose the correct choice from the following answers:  A) 33.9%  B) 36.7%  C) 39.5%  D) 42.3%  E) 45.1%
Let P be the original level of production in 2007.   Let x be the rate of production in 2010 compared to 2009.   x*1.3*1.4*P = P   x = 1/1.82 = 0.549 which is a decrease of 45.1%.   The answer is 45.1%.
<result>E</result>
In 2008, a certain factory produced 40% more widgets than it did in 2007, and its production in 2009 was 130% of its production in 2008. By approximately what percent would its production need to decrease the following year for the factory to produce the same number of widgets it did in 2007?