Video Explanation

Text Explanation

The phrase "x percent more than" could also be thought of as a percent increase. When we convert a percent increase into a multiplier, we take the percent as a decimal and add 1 to it. 60% as a decimal is 0.60. After we add 1 to that, the multiplier becomes 1.6. In other words, Tuk's (T) weight is 1.6 times Kim's (K) weight:

T = 1.6K

We can also test out some values to see if this makes logical sense.  For example, imagine if Kim weighed 100 pounds. Since Tuk weighs 60% more than that, Tuk must weigh 100 pounds plus another 60 pounds (since 60% of 100 = 60), to total 160 pounds.  This is the same value that we get by using a multiplier:  T = 1.6 × 100 = 160 pounds.

The same "percent more than" language is used to described Pat and Lee. 25% as a decimal is 0.25. After we add 1 to that, the multiplier becomes 1.25. Thus, Pat's (P) weight is 1.25 times Lee's (L) weight:

P = 1.25L

Similarly, the phrase "x percent less than" could be thought of as a percent decrease. When we convert a percent decrease into a multiplier, we take the percent as a decimal and subtract it from 1. Since Lee weighs 50% less than Tuk, we first take the percent as a decimal: 0.50. We then subtract that from 1 to get the final multiplier: 1 – 0.50 = 0.50. In other words, Lee's weight is 0.50 times Tuk's weight:

L = 0.50T

Now, there are a lot of variables here, but they are all connected. The problem wants us to solve for K after being given a value for P. We can construct such an equation through substitution:

P = 1.25L
P = 1.25 × 0.50T
P = 1.25 × 0.50 × 1.6K

Since we're told that Pat weighs 126 pounds, the equation becomes:

Thus, Kim weighs the same amount as Pat: 126 pounds.