Rainfall for January in Fiji averages 12" according to World Travel Guide. This year it rained 5% less. How many inches did it rain this year?

Answer: 11.4"

Explanation: Rainfall for Fiji averages 12"

Let us assume that this is 100%. At 5% less, it rained 95% (that is 100% - 5%) this year.

95% (or 0.95) X 12'' = 11.4"

You can also calculate 5% of 12" and then subtract the value from 12"

It rained 5% less, that is 5% X 12" or 0.05 X 12" = 0.6"

12" - 0.6" = 11.4"

Therefore, it rained 11.4" this January. This is 5% less than the usual average of 12" of rainfall that Fiji gets in January.