How do you solve the problem 'What percent of 4000 is 100'?

Answer 1

These are some of my favorite problems. First, "break the code" and set the problem up as an equation. The Percent symbol means "divide by 100"; of means "times"; and is means "equal." So . . .

?% x 4000 = 100

Remember, too, that if a number times a number is a product, then the product divided by one of the numbers gives you the other number. For example, 2 x 3 = 6; so 6 / 3 = 2 or 6 / 2 = 3. So,

100 divided by 4000 = ?

The answer is 0.025. To express this number as a percent, multiply by 100, or move the decimal place over two spaces to the right and add the percent symbol. Then, 0.025 = 2.5 %.

To check your work, simply insert your answer into the original problem and see if it works. 2.5% = 0.025 (percent means "to divide by 100, remember) and multiply. 0.025 x 4000 = 100 so 2.5% is correct.