IXL | Solve percent equations: word problems

At the sewing store, Malia bought a bag of mixed buttons. She got 70 buttons in all. 21 of the buttons were large. What percentage of the buttons were large?

Write your answer using a percent sign (%).

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Learn with an example

question

In hopes of encouraging healthier snacks at school, Pete brought in a tray of carrot sticks and apple slices to share. He brought 16 snacks in all. 4 of the snacks were carrot sticks. What percentage of the snacks were carrot sticks?

Write your answer using a percent sign (%).

key idea

A percent is 1 part out of 100.

1%
is
equal
to
1
100
or
0.01.

Proportions can be used to solve percent problems.

part

whole

percent

100

solution

Find what percentage 4 is of 16. The part is 4.

The whole is 16.

Let n represent the percent.

Write a proportion to solve for n.

100

4 · 100

16n

400

16n

400 ÷ 16

16n ÷ 16

25% of the snacks were carrot sticks.

You could also find the answer by writing and solving an equation:

part

percentage of whole

100

16n

100

0.16

25% of the snacks were carrot sticks.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Percents

Lesson: Proportions

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

O.8Solve percent equations

S.5Write a ratio: word problems

Lesson: Percents

Lesson: Proportions

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