Expert: Paul Klarreich - 10/18/2007

Question
I don't understand how to find what one number as a percent of another number. Example: 9 is what percent of 60.

Answer
Questioner:   Connor
Category:  Advanced Math
Private:  No
 
Subject:  algebra
Question:  I don't understand how to find what one number as a percent of another number. Example: 9 is what percent of 60.
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Hi, Connor,  

There are a number of ways to handle this, but you did say you are doing algebra, so I'll use that approach.

First principle: PERCENT ALWAYS MEANS HUNDREDTHS.  Always, always, always.

So to handle this sentence:

9 is what percent of 60

interpret the percent as 'hundredths':

9 is how many hundredths of 60

Now (you did say algebra, right?) choose a variable symbol for that number:

Let  x = the number of hundredths.

9 is x hundredths of 60

hundredths is written  'over 100':

9 is x/100 of 60

'of' is interpreted as 'times' or 'multiplied by':

9 is (x/100)60

and 'is' is the equal symbol:

9 = (x/100)60

OR:  [USE COURIER FONT FOR THIS]
    x
9 = --- 60
   100

    x
9 = --- 6
   10


   3x
9 = ---
    5

3x = 45

x = 15

Final answer:  9 is  15% of 60.