Is a 500% Increase Equivalent to 5x or 6x the Original Sum?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a 500% increase in a sum of money, specifically whether it results in 5 times or 6 times the original amount. The conversation includes mathematical reasoning and clarification of terms used in the context of percentage increases.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a 500% increase means 5x or 6x the original sum.
  • Another participant asserts that a 500% increase results in 6x the original amount, explaining that the increase is calculated as 500% of the original amount and then added to it.
  • A different participant suggests that a 500% increase should be interpreted as 5 times the initial amount, emphasizing the importance of wording in the question.
  • One participant reiterates that the increase itself is 5x the initial amount, but when added to the original amount, it totals 6x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a 500% increase results in 5x or 6x the original sum, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the ambiguity in the terminology used to describe percentage increases, which may depend on the specific wording of questions or exercises.

Kuma
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If you had a sum of money and the question asks that you want a 500% increase, does that mean a yield of 5x the original sum of money or 6x?
Someone told me it was 6x but didnt really explain why.
 
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6x. Increase = add.
If you had 500% of $10 you'd have $50. But if you increased $10 by 500% then you'd have $60 (because you're finding what 500% of X is and then adding the result to X).
I hope this cleared it up for you :)
 
What you exactly want depends on the wording of your question or exercise. Without other information clearly described, Gr!dlOcK is correct. 500% increase means 5 TIMES initial amount.
 
That's not what I said. I said increase = 5x initial amount, plus initial amount. The increase itself is 5x, but then you have to add it on to the initial amount, making it 6x.

For example: if you have $100, a 50% increase will give you $150, not $50.
 
Last edited:
Gr!dl0cK said:
That's not what I said. I said increase = 5x initial amount, plus initial amount. The increase itself is 5x, but then you have to add it on to the initial amount, making it 6x.

For example: if you have $100, a 50% increase will give you $150, not $50.

Gr!dl0cK is correct...
 

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