Since the enactment of a smoking ban in a particular city, the number of smokers has slowly declined. Statistics show that the number of smokers in this city has decreased for four consecutive months by 3%, 2%, 5% and 2%. What was the overall percentage decrease in the number of smokers during this four month period?

Question

Since the enactment of a smoking ban in a particular city, the number of smokers has slowly declined. Statistics show that the number of smokers in this city has decreased for four consecutive months by 3%, 2%, 5% and 2%. What was the overall percentage decrease in the number of smokers during this four month period?
 
Help me out please!

oobleck · Answer

.97 * .98 * .95 * .98 = .885 or a total decrease of 11.5%