Answer:
12.5 kg
Step-by-step explanation:
Starting mass = x
We know that the starting mass of the cat increased by 12%, so we can add this to "x" representing the starting mass value.
We also know that the final value is 14kg, so we can set the equation equal to 14kg.
x + 12% = 14 kg
Another way to write this equation would be rewrite 12% as a decimal and then add it to the unknown value of x.
x + 12% = 1.12x
We can now set this equal to the final known value to find the starting value, x.
1.12x = 14 kg
Divide both sides of this equation by 1.12 to find x.
x = 12.5 kg
Hope this helps :)