Explanation
Given data:
The seller sells 40% of his apples.
After selling, he still has 420 apples.
Concept/Formula:
The concept used to solve this problem is related to "percentage". The seller was left with 60% of his apples (100% - 40% = 60%) when he had 420 apples left.
Solution:
⇒ the 420 apples represent 60% of his original stock (since he sold 40%).
⇒ If 60% of the original stock equals 420 apples, then 1% can be calculated by dividing 420 by 60.
Hence, 1% = 420 ÷ 60 = 7 apples.
⇒ Now, to find the total original stock (100%), the amount per 1% is multiplied by 100.
Therefore, the original amount = 7 × 100 = 700 apples.
Therefore, originally, he had 700 apples.
