how do u figure out this question?

Let x be the price of the pie last year. Then the price of the pie this year is 16% more than last year's, that is it is x + 16% of x.
We write this is x + .16x = 1.16x.

Since the price this year is 1.60, then we have the equation:
1.16x = 1.60
x = 1.6/1.16
x ~ 1.38

let x = price of pie last year

since the price of the pie this is year is 16% more than last year, the price of the pie INCREASED by 16% of last year's price

16% of last year's price is 0.16x

thus, the price now is 0.16x more expensive

the new price must have been

x (original price) + 0.16x (price increase)

but the new price is also $1.60, so that

x + 0.16x = 1.60 ---------->combine terms

1.16x = 1.60 ------>divide both sides by 1.16

x = $1.379 approx. = $1.38

=)

i think this is how u do it
1.60 x .16 = .256
1.60 - .26= 1.34

x = last year's price
1.60 = (100% + 16%)x
1.60 = (116%)x
1.60 = 1.16x
$1.38 = x= last year's price

$1.34