What Percent of 50 is 20?
Understanding percentages is a fundamental skill in math. You encounter them in various contexts, like calculating discounts, figuring out interest rates, or analyzing data. One common question is: "What percent of 50 is 20?" Let's break down how to solve this using a simple method.
Understanding the Concept
The question "What percent of 50 is 20?" essentially asks: What fraction of 50 is represented by 20, expressed as a percentage?
Solving the Problem
Here's a step-by-step solution:
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Set up a proportion: We can represent this question as a proportion:
- x/100 = 20/50
- Where 'x' represents the unknown percentage.
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Cross-multiply: Multiply the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second fraction, and vice-versa.
- x * 50 = 100 * 20
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Simplify:
- 50x = 2000
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Solve for x: Divide both sides of the equation by 50.
- x = 2000 / 50
- x = 40
Therefore, 20 is 40% of 50.
Alternative Approach
Another way to approach this is using the following formula:
Percent = (Part / Whole) * 100
In this case:
- Part = 20
- Whole = 50
So, plugging in the values:
Percent = (20 / 50) * 100 = 0.4 * 100 = 40%
Key Takeaways
- Percentages represent a fraction out of 100.
- To find what percent a number represents of another, set up a proportion or use the formula mentioned above.
- Remember that percentages are used extensively in various fields, making understanding them essential.
Let's Practice
Now that you know how to calculate percentages, try solving a few more examples:
- What percent of 100 is 25?
- What percent of 80 is 40?
- What percent of 150 is 75?
By practicing these, you'll strengthen your understanding of percentage calculations and become more confident in applying them in real-life situations.