Percentages: Is / Of = % / 100
Sometimes you are given a number and asked what 30% of that number is. Other times you are given a number and asked what percentage it is of another number. The key thing to always remember is:
- is / of = % / 100
As you can see, there are three variables and then a constant of 100. Anytime you are given a problem you will be given 2 of the variables and you must find the missing variable. Simply plug in the numbers into the equation.
Example: What is 40% of 60?
- First, identify the variables.
- It says 40% so we know our percent.
- It says "of 60" so we know our "of"
- Now we plug in our known variables to solve for "is"
We now have ( is / 60 ) = ( 40 / 100 ). With this equation we first multiply 40*60 = 2400 and divide by 100 = 24.
Answer: 24 is 40% of 60.
Watch the math video below for a detailed explanation!