Jack bought a new computer for 20% more than the price he would like to pay. If he paid $780, how much was he looking to pay?

what he was looking to pay = $650

Step-by-step explanation:

When he said the paid 20 percent more the he wanted, he had a fixed price then he paid that fixed price plus 20 percent more of his fixed price

what he paid = what he was looking to pay + what he was looking to pay * 20%

Factor out what he was looking to pay

what he paid = what he was looking to pay (1+20%)

We know he paid 780

780 = what he was looking to pay (1+.2)

780 = what he was looking to pay (1.2)

Divide by 1.2

780/1.2 = what he was looking to pay (1.2) / 1.2

650 = what he was looking to pay