Question

Question #7f121

Answer 1

The number is `60`.

Explanation:

Hey Sophie, you're not dumb at all. Let's break up this problem.

A percent is one-hundredth of any number. By inference, twenty percent (`20%`) is twenty-hundredths of any number, which is the same as saying the product of the number and `20/100`.

Now there are three factors here:
1. The number
2. The percentage
3. The percent amount (the product)

If we know any two of these, the third can be calculated easily. We can use the formula:

`nxxp=a`

where n=number, p=percent, and a=percent amount.

From the data you have given, we know p (`20%` or `20/100`) and a (`12`), hence:

`nxx20/100=12`

Reduce the fraction `20/100` by dividing both the numerator and denominator by `20`.

`nxx(1cancel20)/(5cancel100)=12`

`nxx1/5=12`

Multiply both sides by `5`.

`nxx1/5xx5=12xx5`

`nxx1/(1cancel5)xx1cancel5=60`

`n=60`

Hence the number is `60`.