How to find the whole from the part with percentage

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PSAT Math › How to find the whole from the part with percentage

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1

If of is , then what is of ?

20

0

50

CORRECT

100

0

200

0

10

0

Explanation

The first part of the problem tells us that x% of 20 is 50. We can model x% as x/100 or 0.01x. To find x% of 20, we can multiply 0.01x and 20. In other words, we can write the following equation:

(0.01x)(20) = 50

Divide both sides by 20.

0.01x = 2.5

Divide both sides by 0.01.

x = 250.

The question then asks us to find 20% of x. We can represent 20% as 0.2, and we know that x is 250. Therefore,

20% of 250 = 0.2(250) = 50.

The answer is 50.

2

30% of what number is 20?

Solve to the nearest hundredth.

66.67

CORRECT

0.67

0

1.5

0

150%

0

None of the other answers

0

Explanation

This is a very basic form percentage question. This can be rewritten:

0.3 * x = 20

(Remember, the word "of" in a word problem indicates multiplication, while the word "is" indicates an equals sign).

Solve for x: x = 20 / 0.3 = 66.67

3

A toy is on sale for 43% off. Its sale price is \$21.37. What is the full price?

\$ 37.49

CORRECT

\$ 49.70

0

\$ 30.56

0

\$ 33.55

0

None of the available answers

0

Explanation

An algebraic expression for this item is:

(1-0.43)x=21.37

x=\frac{21.37}{1-0.43}=\$ 37.49

4

A salesperson for a car dealership earns 16% commission on all sales. She has sold one vehicle this week, a \$82,000 SUV on Tuesday, and today is Saturday. She would like to earn a total of \$10,000 in commissions by week's end. At the very least, how much in sales must she accomplish today to meet her goal?

She has already met her goal.

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

The salesperson has already earned a commission of 16% of \$82,000, which is equal to

.

This exceeds her goal for the week of \$10,000, so she has already reached her goal.

5

Twenty-six students planned to contribute an equal amount to purchase a gift for their teacher. After 18 students had paid, they had collected \$76.50. What is the total price of the gift?

0

0

0

0

CORRECT

Explanation

If \$76.50 had been collected after 18 students had paid, we can determine how much each student contributed:

\$76.50/18 = \$4.25 per student

Now we can multiply this by the total number of students (26) to get the full price of the gift:

26 x \$4.25 = \$110.50

6

Sat_math_131_01

David's trip expenses are pictured in the above pie chart (numbers = % of his total expenses). If he spent \$75 on taxis, how much did he spend on hotel and souvenirs combined?

\$175

0

\$200

CORRECT

\$225

0

\$250

0

\$40

0

Explanation

David spent \$75 on taxis, which were 15% of his total expenses on the trip. He therefore spent 75(100/15) = \$500 on the trip altogether. The hotel and souvenirs make up 35% + 5% = 40% of his total expenses. 40% of 500 is \$200.

7

If of a number is , what is of the number?

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

Let x be the number in question.

Then 2/3 * x = 18.

x = 18 * 3/2 = 27

Now find 1/9 of 27:

1/9 * 27 = 3