Pre-Algebra Demystified

EXAMPLE

Write 175% as a fraction.

SOLUTION

175 %¼

175

100

¼ 110075 ¼ (^134)

PRACTICE

Write each of the following percents as fractions:

1. 2%


2. 85%


3. 145%


4. 30%


5. 97%

ANSWERS

1.

1

50

2.

17

20

3. 1 209

4.

3

10

5.

97

100

Three Types of Percent Problems

There are three basic types of percent problems, and there are several differ-

ent methods that can be used to solve these problems. The circle method will

be used in this chapter. The equation method will be used in the next chapter,

and finally, the proportion method will be used in Chapter 8. A percent

problem has three values: the base (B) or whole, the rate (R) or percent,

and the part (P). For example, if a class consisted of 20 students, 5 of

whom were absent today, the base or whole would be 20, the part would

be 5, and the rate or percent of students who were absent would be 205 ¼ 25 %.

112 CHAPTER 6 Percent