Download Percent Word Problems

East Campus, CB 117
361-698-1579
Math Learning Center
West Campus, HS1 203
361-698-1860
PERCENT WORD PROBLEMS
Method 1: Set up a PROPORTION
is
%
=
of 100
53 is 50% of what number?
is
of
53
50
=
𝑛𝑛
100
%
𝑛𝑛
20
=
75 100
%
10
𝑛𝑛
=
48 100
%
What is 20% of 75?
is
of
What percent of 48 is 10?
is
of
CROSS MULTIPLY and solve for n
𝑛𝑛
10
=
48 100
48 × 𝑛𝑛 = 10 × 100
Answer: n = 20.83%
𝑛𝑛 =
10 × 100
48
Multiply the two numbers diagonal to
each other and divide by the third
number diagonal to the variable.
East Campus, CB 117
361-698-1579
Math Learning Center
West Campus, HS1 203
361-698-1860
Method 2: Set up an EQUATION
Turn words into symbols as follows:
IS
OF
WHAT
=
×
n
Equal Sign
Multiplication Sign
Variable
Turn Percent to Decimal Form
•%
Move the Decimal 2 Spots to the Left
Percent to Decimal
50.%
.50
53 = .50 × 𝑛𝑛
Percent to Decimal
20.%
.20
53 is 50% of what number?
What is 20% of 75?
𝑛𝑛 = .20 × 75
What percent of 48 is 10?
𝑛𝑛 × 48 = 10
The answer will need to be
converted to a percent
Solve for n to get your answer