the original amount is 240
Explanation:Let the original amount = y
the original number is decreased by 40%:
Decrease = y × 40% = y × 0.40
= 0.4y
when it is decreased by 40%, the result is 144:
original amount - decrease = 144
y - 0.4y = 144
0.6y = 144
divide both sides by 0.6:
[tex]\begin{gathered} \frac{0.6y}{0.6}\text{ = }\frac{144}{0.6} \\ y\text{ = }240 \end{gathered}[/tex]Hence, the original amount is 240
