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Ratios & Percentages
Working With Percents: At a Glance
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Introduction to Working With Percents:

In this section we will solve each percentage problem using two different methods.

After you try the two methods, take your pick of which one works best for you. It’s your call, boss.

Method 1: Using Ratios and Proportions

All percent problems can be set up as proportions. The tricky part is figuring out what goes where in the proportion. Here are a few things to know when setting it up:

  • A percent is a proportion where the whole is equal to 100. "Per" means "of" and "cent" is a Latin prefix meaning "hundred." Think of the words century (100 years) and centimeter (one-hundredth of a meter).
  • You are looking for a percentage of the number that will become the denominator of the ratio. An easy way to think about this is that whatever comes after the "of" is the denominator.
  • The word "what" represents the thing you are trying to find, so "what" is our variable.

In this section we will solve each percentage problem using two different methods. After you try the two methods, take your pick of which one works best for you. It’s your call. <b>Method 1: Using Ratios and Proportions</b> All percent problems can be set up as proportions. The tricky part is figuring out what goes where in the proportion. Here are a few things to know when setting it up: • A percent is a proportion where the whole is equal to 100.

Take a look at Examples 1-4 to see how Method 1 works.

Method 2: Using Equations

Each of these problems can also be set up as equations. All you have to do is "translate" the sentences. Here is what you have to remember:

  • What means the variable, x 
  • Is means equals
  • Of means to multiply
  • Write all percents as decimals in your equation.

Check out the 5th -8th Examples below to see how Method 2 works.

Working With Percents Practice:

Method 1 Example 1

What is 15% of 72?


Method 1 Example 2

80% of 40 is what number?


Method 1 Example 3

30% of what number is 15?


Method 1 Example 4

What percent of 60 is 20?


Method 2 Example 1

What is 15% of 72?



Method 2 Example 2

80% of 40 is what number?


Method 2 Example 3

30% of what number is 15?


Method 2 Example 4

What percent of 60 is 20?


Percents Exercise 1

What is 75% of 160?


Percents Exercise 2

45% of what number is 202.5?


Percents Exercise 3

60 is what percent of 110?


Percents Exercise 4

250% of 40 is what number?


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