Find 30% of 180.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
30% of 180 is 54
Explanation:
To find 30% of 180, we use the formula: Percentage of a number=(Percentage100)×Number\text{Percentage of a number} = \left( \frac{\text{Percentage}}{100} \right) \times \text{Number}
In this case: 30% of 180=(30100)×18030\% \text{ of } 180 = \left( \frac{30}{100} \right) \times 180 =0.30×180= 0.30 \times 180 =54= 54
Why This Works:
Percent means “per hundred.” So, 30% literally means 30 out of 100. When we calculate a percentage of a number, we are finding the part that corresponds to that fraction. In this case, 30% is the same as the decimal 0.30, and multiplying it by 180 gives the portion of 180 that is 30%.
This method is universally applicable for all percentage problems. For instance, to find 25% of any number, you multiply by 0.25; for 50%, multiply by 0.5, and so on.
Another way to understand this is through proportional thinking. Suppose you have 180 apples, and you are told to take 30% of them. You’re being asked to take 30 out of every 100 apples. Since 180 is more than 100, the actual amount is more than 30. In fact, since 180 is 1.8 times 100, then 30% of 180 is 1.8 times 30, which again gives 54.
Knowing how to find percentages is a fundamental math skill that’s useful in real-life situations—such as calculating discounts, tips, tax, or interest. For example, if a store offers a 30% discount on an item that costs $180, the discount amount would be $54, meaning you would pay $180 − $54 = $126.