A nonprofit distributes food boxes from Site A and Site B. In 2023, the two sites distributed a combined total number of boxes. In 2024, Site A distributed 18% more boxes than it had in 2023, and Site B distributed 7% fewer boxes than it had in 2023. The combined number of boxes distributed increased by 3% from 2023 to 2024.
In 2025, Site A distributed 15% fewer boxes than it had in 2024, and Site B distributed 8% more boxes than it had in 2024. Relative to the combined number of boxes distributed in 2023, what was the percentage increase in the combined number of boxes distributed in 2025?
For problems in which different groups change by different percentages, use a total of whenever the question gives percentage changes but no actual starting total. First use the known overall percentage change to determine the original share in each group. Then apply later percentage changes to the updated group amounts, since consecutive percentage changes use the most recent values as their bases.
Hints
Choose a convenient baseline
Treat the combined number of boxes distributed in 2023 as . Then the 2024 combined total is easy to express.
Find the original split
Let Site A's 2023 amount be , so Site B's 2023 amount is . Use the two different 2024 percentage changes to create an equation with total .
Apply changes in sequence
After finding each site's 2024 amount, apply the 2025 percentage change to that site's 2024 amount, not to its 2023 amount.
Desmos Guide
Use algebra first
Algebra is the fastest approach because the 2024 combined total directly determines the 2023 split. Desmos can quickly verify that split.
Graph the 2024 relationship
Enter and . Click their intersection to find Site A's 2023 amount when the 2023 total is .
Verify the final change
Using the intersection's -coordinate, enter . Because the starting total was , this result is the percentage increase from 2023 to 2025.
Step-by-step Explanation
Represent the 2023 total
Let the combined number of boxes in 2023 be . If Site A distributed boxes, then Site B distributed boxes.
Use the 2024 total increase
The 2024 combined total was , since it was 3% greater than . Therefore,
Solving gives , so . Thus, in 2023, Site A distributed boxes per 100 total boxes and Site B distributed boxes per 100 total boxes.
Calculate the 2025 total
In 2024, the sites distributed and boxes, respectively, per 100 original boxes.
For 2025, the combined total is
Compared with the 2023 total of , this is an increase of per 100, or .