What percent of 150 is 5?

1 Answer
Nov 18, 2014

To solve this type of problem we can take two routes. We can calculate the answer by proportion or we can calculate the answer algebraically.

To solve by proportionally we would take the information and create a proportion between two ratios comparing the part to the whole.

What percent of 150 is 5?

#(x%/100)# is the ratio for what percent.
#(5/150)# is the ratio for 5 compared to 150.

#(x%/100) : (5/150)#

Multiply by 100 on each side of the proportion to solve for x

#(x%) : (((5)(100))/150)#

x% = 3.33 %

To solve algebraically you convert the word problem to an algebra equation by changing the word #of# to multiply and the word #is# to equals.

What percent of 150 is 5?

#x% (150) = 5#

Divide by 150 one each side

#(x%) = ((5)/150)#

#(x%) = 0.0333#

Move the decimal 2 to the right to find the percent, which is the same as multiplying by 100.

#x% = 3.33%#