Basic Mathematics for College Students

540 Chapter 6 Percent







From the table, we see that the number of television channels received increased

considerably from 2000 to 2007. To describe this increase using a percent, we first

subtract to find the amount of increase.

Subtract the number of TV channels received in 2000

fromthe number received in 2007.

Thus, the number of channels received increased by 58 from 2000 to 2007.

Next, we find what percent of the original61 channels received in 2000 that the 58

channel increase represents. To do this, we translate the problem into a percent

equation (or percent proportion) and solve it.

The percent equation method:

is of

58  x  61 Translate.

This is the equation to solve.

To isolate xon the right side, divide both sides of the equation by 61.

Then remove the common factor of 61 from the numerator and

denominator.

On the left side of the equation, divide 58 by 61.

The division does not terminate.

To write the decimal 0.9508 as a percent, multiply

it by 100 by moving the decimal point two places

to the right, and then insert a % symbol.

Round to the nearest one percent.

The percent proportion method:

is of

This is the proportion to solve.

To solve the proportion, find the cross products.

Then set them equal.

To simplify the left side, do the multiplication:

58  100 5,800.

To isolate xon the right side, divide both sides of

the equation by 61. Then remove the common factor

of 61 from the numerator and denominator.

On the left side, divide 5,800 by 61.

Round to the nearest one percent.

With either method, we see that there was a 95% increase in the number of television

channels received by the average American home from 2000 to 2007.

95 x

95.08x

5,800

61



61

1

x

61

1

5,800 61 x

58  100  61 x

58

61



x

100

amount percent base

58 what percent 61?

95%x

95.08%x

0.9508x

58

61

x

58

61



x 61

1

61

1

58 x 61

58 what percent 61?

119  61  58

95.08

61  5,800.00

 549

310

 305

50

 0

500

 488

12

0.9508

(^61)  58.0000
 54 9
310
 305
50
 0
500
 488
12