Question

A positive number is mistakenly 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 is 6$x$.

Instead, the number is divided by 6.
Thus, the number obtained is $\frac{x}{6}$

Hence, the percentage error is,

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

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

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

$=97\%$