The number which exceeds 16% of it by 42 is :

Let the number be $$x$$
Then,
$$\eqalign{ & x - 16\% \,\,{\text{of}}\,x = 42 \cr & \Leftrightarrow x - \frac{{16}}{{100}}x = 42 \cr & \Leftrightarrow x - \frac{4}{{25x}} = 42 \cr & \Leftrightarrow \frac{{21}}{{25}}x = 42 \cr & \Leftrightarrow x = \left( {\frac{{42 \times 25}}{{21}}} \right) \cr & \Leftrightarrow x = 50 \cr} $$