Rex paid $250 in taxes to the school district that he lives in this year. This year's taxes were a 12% increase from last year. What did Rex pay in school taxes last year?

$223.21

Step-by-step explanation:

Last year the amount of taxes was x, an unknown amount. That was 100% of last year's tax cost.

This year, taxes went up by 12%, so this year the taxes are 112% of what they were last year. This year the taxes were 112% of x, and they were $250.

112% of x = 250

1.12x = 250

x = 250/1.12

x = 223.21

$223.21