Solving Percentage Word Problems

A step-by-step guide to Solving Percentage Word Problems

To effectively solve percentage word problems, it is essential to set up equations using the equal sign (=) to express that two mathematical expressions have the same value.

Remember that a percent is a fraction, so to find a specific percentage of a given number, you must multiply the percent (expressed as a decimal) by the number. Additionally, the amount you are trying to find is the percent of the base number.
So, \(Percent×Base=Amount\)

Solving Percentage Word Problems – Example 1

A drug store has 30 employees. 70% of the employees work full-time. How many full-time employees does a drugstore have?
Solutions:
Step 1: Use x instead of the unknown part to find 30% of 65.
Step 2: Write a proportion for \(x, \frac{30}{x}=\frac{100}{70}→30×70=100x→2100=100x→2100÷100=x→21=x\)
The drugstore has 21 full-time employees.

Solving Percentage Word Problems – Example 2

Kevin bought 15 flowers, and he gave 60% of them to his mother. How many flowers did he give to his mother?
Solutions:
Step 1: Use x instead of the unknown part to find 15% of 60.
Step 2: Write a proportion for \(x, \frac{60}{x}=\frac{100}{15}→60×15=100x→900=100x→900÷100=x→9=x\)
He gave 9 flowers to his mother.