Question

The population of a town increase 8% annually. If its present population is 142560. What was it one year ago?

Answer 1

Let the  population of the town an year ago be = x
The present population of the town be  =  x + 8/100... (as 8% of the population increases annually)
and the present population = 54000
so ,
108x/100 = 54000

x = 50000...

Cross check

50000* 8/100 = 4000 (8% increase in population) 
 
50000 + 4000 = 54000 population the following year.

Answer 2

8/100*142560=11404.8
ans=142560-11404.8=131156