Question

What percent of 50 is 20?

What p

Answer 1

`40%`

Explanation:

Percent is basically a fraction but one where the bottom number (denominator) is fixed at 100.

Let the unknown value be `x`

Then we have:

`20/50-=x/100`

Where `-=` means equivalent to

To get `x` on its own multiply both sides by `color(red)(100)`

`color(green)(20/50color(red)(xx100)" "=" "x/100color(red)(xx100)`

`color(green)(20xx(color(red)(100))/50" "=" "x xx(color(red)(100))/100)`

But `100/50=2 and 100/100=1` giving

`20xx2=x xx1`

`40" "=" "x`

So the recent in fraction format is `40/100`

In normal written format it is `40%`
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`color(blue)("Additional comment")`

The symbol % is like a unit of measurement but one that is worth `1/100`

So `40%->40xx%->40xx1/100=40/100`