IXL | Find what percent one number is of another: word problems

A biology class examined some flowers in a local meadow. Out of the 30 flowers they saw, 21 were perennials. What percentage of the flowers were perennials?

Write your answer using a percent sign (%).

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Learn with an example

question

The lunch choices last Friday were mushroom or pepperoni pizza. The cafeteria made 16 pizzas in all, 12 of which were mushroom pizzas. What percentage of the pizzas were mushroom pizzas?

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 12 is of 16. The part is 12.

The whole is 16.

Let n represent the percent.

Write a proportion to solve for n.

100

12 · 100

16n

1,200

16n

1,200 ÷ 16

16n ÷ 16

75% of the pizzas were mushroom pizzas.

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

part

percentage of whole

100

16n

100

0.16

75% of the pizzas were mushroom pizzas.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Percents

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H.3Find what percent one number is of another

S.5Write a ratio: word problems

Lesson: Percents

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