The equation \( x - 0.42x = 0.58x \) can be interpreted as a decrease in the value of \( x \) by 42%, resulting in 58% of the original value of \( x \).
To describe this in words accurately, the correct response is:
A decrease of 42% is the same as multiplying by 0.58.
This is because when you decrease something by 42%, what remains is 58% of the original amount, which can be represented mathematically as multiplying the original amount by 0.58.
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