If 40% of a number is 56 what was the original number

To find out the answer, we  must first see the rationale behind this question. 
 If 40 percent of the original number is 56, then definitely the original number must be greater than 56.
Or to put it mathematically if 40 percent = 56, then 100 percent (which is the original number) must be greater than 56. So we make a calculation based on this rationale.

40%  =  56
100% = x

where x stands for the unknown number, which in our case is the original number we need to find out.

40/100 = 56
100/100= x

0.4 = 56
1     = x

0.4x = 56 * 1

x = 56*1/ 0.4

x = 56/0.4

x = 140

The original number is 140.

Let us double check this

40% of 140 = ? 

40/100 * 140 =?

0.4*140 = 56 

And there we see 40% of 140 is 56. 

So our answer is correct.