Question

$6$ is $80$ $\%$ of what number?

• A. 6.5
• B. 7
• C. 7.5
• D. 8

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

7.5

Let $x$ be the unknown, "what number" in the above question.

The word "of" represents a multiplication and "is" represent $=$.

Hence, the above question may be translated into a math equation as follows:

$6=80$ $\%$ $\times x$

Solve for $x$ to obtain

$x=\frac{6}{80}$ $\%$

Rewrite the percentage $80\%$ as a fraction in the above equation.

$x=\frac{6}{\left[80/100\right]}$

To divide $6$ by the fraction $\frac{80}{100}$ multiply by the reciprocal of the fraction $\frac{80}{100}$.

Hence. $x=6\times \left[\frac{100}{80}\right]=\frac{600}{80}=7.5$