30% of the wire was cut off, and then another 60% of the remainder. After that, 42 m of wire remained

30% of the wire was cut off, and then another 60% of the remainder. After that, 42 m of wire remained. How much was originally.

1. Cut off 60% of the wire, which means that 42m is 40% of the wire. We take the initial length for a and make up the proportion:

42 m – 40%, and m – 100%;

42: a = 40: 100;

a = (42 x 100): 40;

a = 105 m.

2. Cut off 30% of the wire, which means that 105 m is 70% of the wire. We take the initial length of the wire for a and make up the proportion:

105 m – 70%, and m – 100%;

105: a = 70: 100;

a = (105 x 100): 70;

a = 150 m.

Answer: 150 meters of wire was originally.