which equation can be used to find 60 percent of 50?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The equation that can be used to find 60 percent of 50 is: 60% of 50=60100×5060\% \text{ of } 50 = \frac{60}{100} \times 50
Or simplified: 0.6×500.6 \times 50
Explanation (300 words):
To find a percentage of a number, you convert the percentage into a decimal or a fraction and then multiply it by the number.
Percent means “per hundred.” So, 60% means 60 out of every 100, which is mathematically written as: 60%=60100=0.660\% = \frac{60}{100} = 0.6
When a question asks, “What is 60% of 50?”, you are being asked to find how much 60 out of 100 would be if the whole is 50, not 100.
So, the equation becomes: 60% of 50=0.6×5060\% \text{ of } 50 = 0.6 \times 50
Multiplying: 0.6×50=300.6 \times 50 = 30
So, 60% of 50 is 30.
Why This Method Works:
The multiplication method works for any percentage of any number. It’s based on the principle that: Percentage of a number=(Percent100)×Number\text{Percentage of a number} = \left(\frac{\text{Percent}}{100}\right) \times \text{Number}
This makes percentage calculations universal and simple. You just:
- Convert the percent to a decimal or fraction.
- Multiply it by the target number.
Example:
To find 25% of 80: 25%=25100=0.2525\% = \frac{25}{100} = 0.25 0.25×80=200.25 \times 80 = 20
This process is very useful in real-life contexts like discounts, tips, grades, and financial calculations.