1. **State the problem:** We have 125 ninth graders and 55 tenth graders on the honor roll last year. The number of ninth graders increased by 12%. The number of tenth graders decreased by 20%. We need to find the percentage decrease in the total number of students on the honor roll. 2. **Write down the formulas:** Percentage increase: New amount = Original amount \times (1 + \frac{percentage}{100}) Percentage decrease: New amount = Original amount \times (1 - \frac{percentage}{100}) 3. **Calculate the new number of ninth graders:** $$125 \times (1 + \frac{12}{100}) = 125 \times 1.12 = 140$$ 4. **Calculate the new number of tenth graders:** $$55 \times (1 - \frac{20}{100}) = 55 \times 0.8 = 44$$ 5. **Calculate the total number of students last year:** $$125 + 55 = 180$$ 6. **Calculate the total number of students this year:** $$140 + 44 = 184$$ 7. **Calculate the percentage change in total students:** Since the total increased from 180 to 184, the change is an increase, not a decrease. Percentage change formula: $$\frac{New - Original}{Original} \times 100 = \frac{184 - 180}{180} \times 100 = \frac{4}{180} \times 100 \approx 2.2\%$$ **Answer:** The total number of students on the honor roll increased by approximately 2.2%, so there is no decrease.