Rupesh’s salary was first reduced by 44% and subsequently raised by 15%. How much percentage was his final salary lower compared to his initial salary?

The correct option is 35.6%.

To find the overall percentage change in Rupesh’s salary, we can break down the process step-by-step by assuming an initial value for his salary.

Step 1: Assume an initial salary
Let us assume Rupesh's initial salary is 100 units.

Step 2: Calculate the salary after the 44% reduction
A reduction of 44% means his salary decreases by:
$100\times 0.44=44$
So, the salary after the reduction is:
$100-44=56$
units.

Step 3: Calculate the salary after the 15% increase
Subsequently, this new salary of 56 units is raised by 15%. The increase is:
$56\times 0.15=8.4$
So, the final salary becomes:
$56+8.4=64.4$
units.

Step 4: Determine the overall percentage decrease
The difference between the initial salary and the final salary is:
$100-64.4=35.6$
units.

Since the initial salary was 100 units, a decrease of 35.6 units represents a final salary that is exactly 35.6% lower than the initial salary.