Question

The value of Jamie's baseball card collection rose 50% in the last year. It is now worth $255. What was it worth a year ago?

Answer 1

Since we don't know the initial value of the cards, we refer to it as x. We also know that it rose 50%, which is the same as .5x. When added together, their value is $255

x + .5x = $255
1.5x = $255 (divide both sides by 1.5)
x = $170