In a newspaper, it was reported that yearly robberies in Springfield were up 40% to 196 in 2013 from 2012. How many robberies were there in Springfield in 2012?

There were 140 robberies in Springfield in 2012.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's marked (named) robberies in 2012 with x, which is worth 100%

196 robberies in 2013 worth 100% + 40% = 140%

Now we will make proportion

x : 196 = 100 : 140

When we multiply external and internal members we get

140 x = 196 · 100 = > 140 x = 19600 = > x = 19600/140 = 140

x = 140 robberies in 2012