Converting Percentage to Decimal

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 123 views

Understanding the Problem

To find the total number of songs Brianna listened to on Saturday, we need to use the information given about the percentage of country songs and the actual number of country songs she listened to. The problem states that $$45%$$ of the music Brianna listened to was country songs, and she listened to 27 country songs on Saturday.

Setting Up the Equation

Let's denote the total number of songs Brianna listened to as $$x$$. Since $$45%$$ of the music was country songs, we can set up the following equation:

45\% \times x = 27

Converting Percentage to Decimal

To simplify the equation, we need to convert the percentage to a decimal. We can do this by dividing the percentage by 100:

0.45 \times x = 27

Solving for x

Now, we can solve for $$x$$ by dividing both sides of the equation by 0.45:

x = \frac{27}{0.45}

Calculating the Value of x

To find the value of $$x$$, we can perform the division:

x = 60

Conclusion

Therefore, Brianna listened to a total of 60 songs on Saturday.

Real-World Applications

This problem may seem simple, but it has real-world applications in various fields, such as music industry, marketing, and finance. For example, if a music streaming service wants to know the total number of songs its users listened to, it can use a similar approach to find the answer.

Tips and Tricks

When solving problems like this, it's essential to:

Read the problem carefully and understand what's being asked
Set up the equation correctly
Convert percentages to decimals
Solve for the variable
Check the answer to ensure it makes sense in the context of the problem

Common Mistakes

Some common mistakes to avoid when solving problems like this include:

Not converting percentages to decimals
Not setting up the equation correctly
Not solving for the variable
Not checking the answer

Practice Problems

Try solving the following problems on your own:

If $$25%$$ of the students in a class scored above 90, and 15 students scored above 90, how many students are in the class?
If $$30%$$ of the items in a store are on sale, and 20 items are on sale, how many items are in the store?

Solutions to Practice Problems

If $$25%$$ of the students in a class scored above 90, and 15 students scored above 90, how many students are in the class?

0.25 \times x = 15

x = \frac{15}{0.25}

x = 60

Therefore, there are 60 students in the class.

If $$30%$$ of the items in a store are on sale, and 20 items are on sale, how many items are in the store?

0.30 \times x = 20

x = \frac{20}{0.30}

x = 66.67

Therefore, there are approximately 67 items in the store.

Conclusion

In conclusion, solving problems like this requires careful reading, setting up the equation correctly, converting percentages to decimals, solving for the variable, and checking the answer. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can become proficient in solving problems like this and apply them to real-world scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the formula for solving percentage problems?

A: The formula for solving percentage problems is:

\text{Percentage} \times \text{Total} = \text{Part}

Where:

Percentage is the percentage of the total
Total is the total amount
Part is the part of the total

Q: How do I convert a percentage to a decimal?

A: To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide the percentage by 100:

\text{Percentage} \div 100 = \text{Decimal}

For example, to convert 25% to a decimal, divide 25 by 100:

25 \div 100 = 0.25

Q: How do I set up an equation for a percentage problem?

A: To set up an equation for a percentage problem, use the formula:

\text{Percentage} \times \text{Total} = \text{Part}

For example, if 30% of a number is 12, set up the equation:

0.30 \times \text{Total} = 12

Q: How do I solve for the variable in a percentage problem?

A: To solve for the variable in a percentage problem, divide both sides of the equation by the percentage:

\text{Total} = \frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Percentage}}

For example, to solve for the total in the equation:

0.30 \times \text{Total} = 12

Divide both sides by 0.30:

\text{Total} = \frac{12}{0.30}

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving percentage problems?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when solving percentage problems include:

Not converting percentages to decimals
Not setting up the equation correctly
Not solving for the variable
Not checking the answer

Q: How do I check my answer to a percentage problem?

A: To check your answer to a percentage problem, plug the answer back into the original equation and make sure it is true. For example, if you solved for the total in the equation:

0.30 \times \text{Total} = 12

Plug the answer back into the equation:

0.30 \times 40 = 12

Check that the equation is true:

12 = 12

Q: What are some real-world applications of percentage problems?

A: Percentage problems have many real-world applications, including:

Calculating tips at a restaurant
Determining the cost of a discount
Finding the percentage of a population that has a certain characteristic
Calculating the interest on a loan

Q: How can I practice solving percentage problems?

A: You can practice solving percentage problems by:

Working through examples and exercises in a textbook or online resource
Creating your own problems and solving them
Using online tools or calculators to check your answers
Practicing with real-world scenarios and applications

Conclusion

In conclusion, solving percentage problems requires careful reading, setting up the equation correctly, converting percentages to decimals, solving for the variable, and checking the answer. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can become proficient in solving percentage problems and apply them to real-world scenarios.