A shop's present stock of 300 raincoats is 25% of what it held before the rains. The stock held before the rains was what per cent more than the present stock?

If 300 is 25% of the earlier stock, the earlier stock was 300/0.25 = 1,200 raincoats. 'How much more' asks for the excess over the present stock, measured on the present stock: (1200 - 300)/300 = 900/300 = 3 = 300%. 400% is 1200/300, the earlier stock as a per cent OF the present one - always one hundred points above the 'more than' figure. 75% is the fall from 1,200 to 300, measured the other way round. 25% just repeats the rate given.