Basic Mathematics for College Students

6.3 Applications of Percent 543







The percent equation method:

is of

238  x  425 Translate.

This is the equation to solve.

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

425. Then remove the common factor of 425 from the numerator
     and denominator.
     Divide 238 by 425.
     To write the decimal 0.56 as a percent, multiply it
     by 100 by moving the decimal point two places to
     the right, and then insert a % symbol.

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 of the equation, do the multiplication:

238  100 23,800.

To isolate xon the right side, divide both sides

of the equation by 425. Then remove the

common factor of 425 from the numerator and

denominator.

Divide 23,800 by 425.

With either method, we see that there was a 56% decrease in Jared Fogle’s weight.

56 x

23,800

425



425

1

x

425

1

23,800 425 x

238  100  425 x

238

425



x

100

amount percent base

238 what percent 425?

56%x

056%x

0.56x

238

425



x 425

1

425

1

238 x 425

238 what percent 425?

0.56

(^425)  238.00
 212 5
25 50
 25 50
0
56
425  23,800
 21 25
2 550
 2 550
0
“All students, regardless of their personal characteristics, backgrounds, or physical
challenges, must have opportunities to study—and support to learn—mathematics.”
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The table below shows the number of students enrolled in Basic Mathematics
classes at two-year colleges.

THINK IT THROUGH Studying Mathematics

Year 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Enrollment57,000 100,000 146,000 142,000 147,000 134,000 122,000 104,000

Source:2005 CBMS Survey of Undergraduate Programs

1. Over what five-year span was there the greatest percent increase in
   enrollment in Basic Mathematics classes? What was the percent increase?


2. Over what five-year span was there the greatest percent decrease in
   enrollment in Basic Mathematics classes? What was the percent increase?