Answer:
There were 186 Springfield robberies in 2011
Step-by-step explanation:
Think about what happens when you double a number.
You multiply it by 2. Since it's been doubles, we say is has had a 100% increase.
Likewise a 50% increase correlates to multiply by 1.5
Since we are trying to find the previous amount that experienced the increase, we divide by 1.5 to find the original amount because that amount*1.5 gives us 279.
Calling the original <em>r</em>, it is clear that 1.5<em>r</em>=279.
Solving for <em>r, </em>we find the original # of robberies to be 186.