Math Example--Percents--Equations with Percents: Example 6

Topic

Solving Equations

Description

This math example demonstrates solving percent equations by asking "What is 28% of 7.2?" The solution involves converting 28% to its decimal equivalent, 0.28, and then multiplying it by 7.2 to obtain the result of 2.016. This example combines a whole number percentage with a decimal base number, further illustrating the versatility of the percent-to-decimal conversion method.

Solving equations with percents is a fundamental skill in mathematics that has wide-ranging applications in finance, statistics, and everyday calculations. These examples help students understand the process of converting percentages to decimals and applying them to various numbers, including decimals. This skill is crucial for more advanced mathematical concepts and real-world problem-solving scenarios, such as calculating interest rates or analyzing data trends.

The importance of presenting multiple worked-out examples cannot be overstated. Each new example reinforces the concept while introducing slight variations in percentages and base numbers. This approach helps students recognize patterns, adapt their problem-solving strategies, and gain confidence in their ability to handle diverse scenarios involving percentages. By practicing with different combinations of whole and decimal numbers, students develop a more robust understanding of percentage calculations.

Teacher Script: "Now, let's tackle this next example together. We need to find 28% of 7.2. First, what do we do with the percentage? That's right, we convert it to a decimal by dividing by 100. So, 28% becomes 0.28. Now, we multiply this by our base number, 7.2. Can anyone tell me what 0.28 × 7.2 equals? Excellent, it's 2.016. Notice how we're following the same steps as before, but now we're working with a whole number percentage and a decimal base number. This shows that our method works for various combinations of numbers, making it a powerful tool for solving percentage problems."

For a complete collection of math examples related to Solving Equations click on this link: Math Examples: Equations with Percents Collection.