A number first increased by 40% and then decreased by 25% again increased by 15% and then decreased by 20%, What is the net increase/decrease percent in the number?

Alternate solution
Given:
Number is first increased by 40% and then decreased by 25%, again increased by 15% and then decreased by 20%
$$\eqalign{ & {\bf{Calculation:}} \cr & {\text{Let the number be }}x \cr & \Rightarrow x \times \frac{7}{5} \times \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{{23}}{{20}} \times \frac{4}{5} \cr & \Rightarrow x \times \frac{{483}}{{500}} \cr & \Rightarrow 0.966x \cr & \Rightarrow 0.966x{\text{ is less than }}x \cr & \Rightarrow {\text{Decrease percent in the number}} \cr & = \frac{{x - 0.966x}}{{100}} \cr & = 3.4\% \cr & \therefore {\text{Net decrease percent in the number is }}3.4\% \cr} $$