From 1995 to 2000 the cost of food increased by 53% in a certain city, the cost of housing increased by 40%, and the cost of transportation increased by 34%. If the average salaried worker spent 28% of his or her income on food, 35% on hosing, and 14% on transportation, what is the combined percentage increase in the cost of these items?

Assuming the worker has the same salary of $ 100 from 1995 to 2000

at 1995

food cost = 100 (0.28) = 28

housing cost = 100 (0.35) = 35

transport cost = 100 (0.14) = 14

total cost = 77

then an increase

food cost = 28 (1.53) = 42.84

housing cost = 35 (1.40) = 49

transport cost = 14 (1.34) = 18.76

total cost = 110.6

total % increase = [ (110.6 - 77) / 77] x 100

tota % increase = 43.64 % increase