Math Help?

Question

The population of Grand Island, Nebraska, grew by 600,000 people between 1995 and 2005, one-fifth more than the town council predicted. The population of Grand Island, Nebraska, grew by 600,000 people between 1995 and 2005, one-fifth more than the town council predicted.The town council originally predicted the city’s population would grow by?PLEASE EXPLAIN ANSWER IN DETAIL

Answer 1

If 600,000 people was "one-fifth more than the council predicted," then the council's original prediction was an increase of 500,000.   Notice that 600,000 is one-fifth more than 500,000.  Another way of putting it is,

600,000 = (1 + 1/5)*x =>

600,000 = 1.2 * x =>

x = 600,000/1.2 = 500,000.