1. **State the problem:** We know that 40% of a Fermium-256 sample has decayed, and 53 grams remain. We need to find the original mass of the sample. 2. **Understand the problem:** If 40% has decayed, then 60% of the original mass remains because 100% - 40% = 60%. 3. **Set up the equation:** Let the original mass be $m$. The remaining mass is 60% of $m$, so: $$0.60 \times m = 53$$ 4. **Solve for $m$:** $$m = \frac{53}{0.60}$$ 5. **Calculate:** $$m = 88.3333...$$ 6. **Round to the nearest whole number:** $$m \approx 88$$ **Final answer:** The original mass of the sample was approximately 88 grams.