Question

A positive number is, by mistake divided by 6 instead of being multiplied by 6. What is the percentage error (approximately)?

• A. 30%
• B. 97%
• C. 85%
• D. 75%

Answer 1

The correct option is B 97%

Let the number be $x$
When it was multiplied by 6, the number obtained would have been $6x$
The number was divided by 6 instead.
Thus the number obtained was $\frac{x}{6}$
Hence, percentage error = $\frac{6x-\frac{x}{6}}{6x}\times 100\%$
$=\frac{36x-x}{36x}\times 100\%$
$=\frac{35}{36}\times 100\%$
$=97\%$