85% of what number is 17? EXPLAIN
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
85% of 20 is 17.
Explanation (300 words):
To solve the question “85% of what number is 17?”, you need to find the original number such that when you take 85% of it, the result is 17.
Let the unknown number be x.
Step 1: Translate the words into a math equation.
- “85% of what number” translates to: 0.85×x0.85 \times x
- “is 17” means it equals 17: 0.85x=170.85x = 17
Step 2: Solve for x
To find the value of x, divide both sides of the equation by 0.85: x=170.85x = \frac{17}{0.85} x=20x = 20
So, 85% of 20 is 17.
Why this works:
Percentages are just fractions out of 100. So:
- 85% means 85 per 100, or 0.85.
- “85% of a number” means you’re taking 0.85 times that number.
In this case, we knew the result was 17, and we worked backward to find what number gives 17 when multiplied by 0.85.
This is a reverse percentage problem — where you’re given the part and percentage, and asked to find the whole.
Verification:
Let’s check our answer: 0.85×20=170.85 \times 20 = 17
✅ Correct.
Real-world context:
This kind of calculation is used in real life for:
- Discounts (e.g., 85% of original price)
- Test scores (e.g., scoring 85% of total marks)
- Performance metrics
Being able to reverse-engineer percentages helps in budgeting, data analysis, and academic assessments.