Let your original number be x, and your number after the increase be y.
x + 80%x = y
x(1 + 80%) = y
x = y/(1+80/100)
x = y/1.8
For your given problem,
x = 899/1.8 = 499.44
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If you would rather multiply, you can multiply by 1/1.8 = 5/9 ≈ .55556
x + 80%x = y
x(1 + 80%) = y
x = y/(1+80/100)
x = y/1.8
For your given problem,
x = 899/1.8 = 499.44
_____
If you would rather multiply, you can multiply by 1/1.8 = 5/9 ≈ .55556