The population of a town in 2014 was 80058. This was a 65% increase on its population in 1994. What was the population in 1994?

Firstly, look at what the question is asking you to find out. You need to work out the population from 1994. You are told that there was an increase from 1994 to 2014. Therefore you can take the population in 1994 to be the original population, this population can be 100%. Now, you are told that in 2014 there was an increase by 65% of the original population. Therefore the population in 2014 (80058) is worth 165% of the population in 1994. To work out the answer, you will first need to find 1%. Do this by dividing 80058 by 165. This will give you 485.2, which is 1%.Now to find the population in 1994 you need 100%. Take the 485.2 and multiply this by 100. Your answer will be 48520. The population in 1994 was 48520. You have now finished the question.