If a number is increased by 20% and the result is 60, what was the original number?

To determine the original number when it is increased by 20% and the resulting value is 60, we can set up an equation based on the relationship between the original number and the increased value.

Let the original number be represented as ( x ). An increase of 20% means that we multiply the original number by 1.20 (which represents the original amount plus the 20% increase). Thus, we can express this mathematically as:

[ 1.20x = 60 ]

To find the original number ( x ), we need to isolate it by dividing both sides of the equation by 1.20:

[ x = \frac{60}{1.20} ]

Calculating the right side gives:

[ x = 50 ]

This shows that the original number is indeed 50. The process involves understanding that increasing a number by a percentage requires you to find 120% of the original number (which incorporates both the original amount and the 20% increase), leading to the equation that allows you to solve for the original value.