An airplane allows each passenger 36 kilograms of luggage. Carl has to lower the weight of his suitcase by 25% to stay within the limit. How much did the suitcase originally weight?

(1.00 - 0.25) x = 36

Solve for x to find your answer.

Let the original suitcase weight be x. This x will be reduced by multiplying it by (1.00-0.25), or 0.75. 0.75x = 36 kg. Solve for x.

Dividing both sides of this last equation by 0.75, we get x = 48.

Carl's suitcase originally weighed 48 lb. 25% of that is 12. x less 12 is 36 lb, which is acceptable to the airline.