Math Tool

Reverse Percentage Calculator

Free reverse percentage calculator to find original value from final value and percentage. Calculate increases, decreases, and percentage relationshipswith step-by-step solutions. Perfect for students learning percentage problems and real-world applications.

Last updated: December 15, 2024

Three operation types: increase, decrease, percentage of
Step-by-step solutions with verification
Real-world applications and examples

Need a custom math calculator for your educational platform? Get a Quote

Reverse Percentage Calculator
Find original value from final value and percentage

Reverse Percentage Result

Original Value:

100.00

Percentage Increase

Change Amount: 20.00

Formula Used:

Original = Final ÷ (1 + percentage/100)

Verification:

100.00 + 20% = 120

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Identify the given values
Final value = 120
Percentage = 20%
Operation = increase
Step 2: Set up the equation
Final Value = Original × (1 + percentage/100)
120 = Original × (1 + 20/100)
120 = Original × 1.200
Step 3: Solve for original value
Original = 120 ÷ 1.200
Original = 100.00
Step 4: Verify the calculation
100.00 + 20% = 100.00 × 1.200 = 120 ✓

Reverse Percentage Tips:

  • • Increase: Original = Final ÷ (1 + percentage/100)
  • • Decrease: Original = Final ÷ (1 - percentage/100)
  • • % Of: Original = Final ÷ (percentage/100)
  • • Always verify by applying the percentage to the original
  • • Use this when you know the final result and want the starting value

Reverse Percentage Types

Percentage Increase
Find original before increase

Formula

Original = Final ÷ (1 + %/100)

Example: 120 is 20% more than what?

Percentage Decrease
Find original before decrease

Formula

Original = Final ÷ (1 - %/100)

Example: 80 is 20% less than what?

Percentage Of
Find original when final is % of it

Formula

Original = Final ÷ (%/100)

Example: 30 is 25% of what?

Price After Discount
Find original price

Example

$72 after 20% off = $90 original

Use decrease formula

Salary After Raise
Find original salary

Example

$60k after 15% raise = $52.2k original

Use increase formula

Test Score
Find original score

Example

90 is 75% of what = 120 original

Use percentage of formula

Quick Example Result

120 is 20% more than what number?

Original Value

100

Change Amount

20

Verification

100 + 20% = 120 ✓

How to Calculate Reverse Percentage

Reverse percentage calculations are essential for solving real-world problems where you know the final result and need to find the original value. This is common in pricing, salary negotiations, and data analysiswhere you need to work backwards from percentage changes to understand the starting point.

The Reverse Percentage Process

Step 1: Identify given values (final value and percentage)
Step 2: Determine operation type (increase, decrease, or percentage of)
Step 3: Choose appropriate reverse formula
Step 4: Substitute values and calculate original value
Step 5: Verify by applying percentage to original value

This systematic approach ensures accurate reverse percentage calculations for any scenario.

Reverse Percentage Formulas

The key to reverse percentage is understanding the relationship between original and final values. For increases: Final = Original × (1 + percentage/100), so Original = Final ÷ (1 + percentage/100). For decreases: Final = Original × (1 - percentage/100), so Original = Final ÷ (1 - percentage/100). For percentage of: Final = Original × (percentage/100), so Original = Final ÷ (percentage/100).

  • Increase: Original = Final ÷ (1 + percentage/100)
  • Decrease: Original = Final ÷ (1 - percentage/100)
  • Percentage Of: Original = Final ÷ (percentage/100)
  • Always verify by applying the percentage to your answer
  • Check that your answer makes sense in context

Sources & References

  • Basic Mathematics - Serge Lang (2nd Edition)Comprehensive coverage of percentage calculations and applications
  • Pre-Algebra - Richard RusczykDetailed explanations of percentage problems and reverse calculations
  • Khan Academy - Percentages and Reverse PercentagesVideo tutorials and practice problems on percentage calculations

Reverse Percentage Example

Step-by-Step Solution
Finding original value when 120 is 20% more than the original

Given Values:

Final value = 120

Percentage = 20%

Operation = increase

Solution Steps:

  1. Step 1: Identify the given values
  2. Final value = 120
  3. Percentage = 20%
  4. Operation = increase
  5. Step 2: Set up the equation
  6. Final Value = Original × (1 + percentage/100)
  7. 120 = Original × (1 + 20/100)
  8. 120 = Original × 1.200
  9. Step 3: Solve for original value
  10. Original = 120 ÷ 1.200
  11. Original = 100.00
  12. Step 4: Verify the calculation
  13. 100.00 + 20% = 100.00 × 1.200 = 120 ✓

Final Answer:

Original Value

100

Change Amount

20

Verification

100 + 20% = 120 ✓

Price After Discount

$72 after 20% off

Original = $90

Test Score

90 is 75% of what?

Original = 120

Frequently Asked Questions

Found This Calculator Helpful?

Share it with others learning percentage calculations

Share This Calculator
Help others discover this useful tool

Suggested hashtags: #ReversePercentage #Math #Percentages #Calculator #Education

Related Calculators

Percentage Calculator
Calculate percentages, increases, decreases, and percentage relationships with step-by-step analysis.
Use Calculator
Mixed Number Calculator
Calculate mixed number operations, convert between forms, and analyze fraction relationships.
Use Calculator
Integer Calculator
Perform integer operations, prime factorization, GCD, LCM, and number theory analysis.
Use Calculator
Reverse Percentage Calculator | thecalcs