Work backwards from the $288 Mrs Wong had at the end.<br><br>
[[model:questions/solutions/q10430.png]]<br><br>
After buying furniture, $288 remained. This is 60% of the total money before furniture (since 40% was spent).<br>
&bull; Total before furniture = $288 ÷ 60 × 100 = $288 ÷ 0.6 = $480<br>
&bull; $480 is after receiving $120 from her husband. Before receiving = $480 − $120 = $360<br>
&bull; $360 is 75% of the remainder after groceries (since 25% was spent on clothes).<br>
&bull; Remainder after groceries = $360 ÷ 75 × 100 = $360 ÷ 0.75 = $480<br>
&bull; Original amount = $480 + $180 = $660<br><br>
Mrs Wong had $660 at first.<br>
Check: $660 − $180 = $480; 25% of $480 = $120 (clothes); $480 − $120 = $360; + $120 = $480; 40% of $480 = $192 (furniture); $480 − $192 = $288. ✓