A number when increased by 20% becomes 72. What will it become if it is decreased by 10%?

To solve this problem, we first need to find the original number before it was increased by 20% to reach 72.

Finding the Original Number

Let the original number be represented as x. When this number is increased by 20%, it can be expressed as:

x + 0.2x = 72

This simplifies to:

1.2x = 72

To find x, divide both sides by 1.2:

x = 72 / 1.2

Calculating this gives:

x = 60

Calculating the Decrease

Now that we have the original number, we can find out what it becomes when decreased by 10%:

The decrease can be calculated as:

60 - (0.1 * 60)

This simplifies to:

60 - 6 = 54

Final Answer

Thus, if the original number is decreased by 10%, it will become 54.