Question

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

• A. 3.86
• B. 97.22
• C. 83.27
• D. 75.35

Answer 1

The correct option is B 97.22

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 = $\frac{6x-\frac{x}{6}}{6x}\times 100\%$

$=\frac{36x-x}{36x}\times 100\%$

$=\frac{35}{36}\times 100\%$

$=97\%$