|
|
|
|
Sometimes
problems aren't written out |
|
|
so that
we can start working on them right away. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes
they are written in code. |
|
|
|
|
|
Before we
can work on the problem, |
|
|
we have
to decode it. |
|
|
|
|
|
Here
comes one now ... |
|
|
|
|
|
What is 10
percent of 100?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here's
how the code for a percent problem works. |
|
|
|
|
|
| What |
means |
X |
(the unknown
quantity) |
| is |
means |
= |
(equals) |
| of |
means |
x |
(multiply) |
|
percent
is the combination of |
| per |
means |
/ |
(divide) |
| cent |
means |
100 |
(one
hundred) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
So now we
can decode the problem ... |
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
So what is
10 percent of 100?
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Let's try
another one ... |
|
|
|
|
|
Example: |
|
|
|
|
|
What
percent of 85 is 17?
|
|
|
|
|
|
This one
is asked a little differently, |
|
|
but you
use the same translation dictionary ... |
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiply
both sides by 100. |
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
Divide
both sides by 85 and simplify ... |
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
So what
percent of 85 is 17?
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes
they throw you a curve |
|
|
and don't
use the word percent. |
|
|
Instead
they use this little squiggle. |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
It means
PERCENT!
|
|
|
|
|
|
It also
means divided by 100! |
|
|
|
|
|
copyright 2005 Bruce Kirkpatrick |
|