If 40 percent of a number is 56 what was the original number?

The answer would be 140, because the percentage is 40 you would divide in half because 20 is more easily comparable with 100, then you would divide 56 along with it getting 28, then you would multiply 28 by 5 because 20 percent of the number is 28 and 20x5=100, so 28x5=140

Think of it like this:

of = multiplication of the equation

is = equals

and whatever you are looking for is your variable

so ...

.40 times X = 56