key term - Percent Equation

Definition

The percent equation is a mathematical expression used to represent the relationship between a part, a whole, and the percentage. It is a fundamental concept in solving percent applications and understanding the proportional relationship between quantities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The percent equation is typically written in the form: Part = Whole × Percentage, where the percentage is expressed as a decimal.
2. Rearranging the percent equation can be used to solve for the part, whole, or percentage when the other two values are known.
3. Percent applications often involve finding the unknown value in the percent equation, such as the part, whole, or percentage, based on the given information.
4. Understanding the percent equation is crucial for solving a variety of real-world problems involving percentages, such as calculating tips, discounts, taxes, and more.
5. The percent equation can be used to represent proportional relationships between quantities, which is a fundamental concept in algebra and problem-solving.

Review Questions

• Explain how the percent equation can be used to solve for the unknown value in a percent application problem.
  • The percent equation, written as Part = Whole × Percentage, can be rearranged to solve for the unknown value in a percent application problem. For example, if the whole and the percentage are known, the equation can be used to solve for the part. Alternatively, if the part and the percentage are known, the equation can be used to solve for the whole. This flexibility allows the percent equation to be a powerful tool in solving a variety of percent-related problems.
• Describe how the percent equation represents the proportional relationship between the part, whole, and percentage.
  • The percent equation demonstrates the proportional relationship between the part, whole, and percentage. The part is a fraction or proportion of the whole, and the percentage expresses this relationship. By rearranging the equation, you can see how changes in one value (part, whole, or percentage) will proportionally affect the other two values. This understanding of proportional relationships is crucial for solving percent applications and making connections between the different quantities involved.
• Evaluate how the percent equation can be used to solve real-world problems involving percentages, such as calculating tips, discounts, or taxes.
  • The percent equation is a fundamental tool for solving a wide range of real-world problems involving percentages. For example, when calculating a tip, the part would be the tip amount, the whole would be the total bill, and the percentage would be the tip rate. By rearranging the percent equation, you can solve for any of these unknown values. Similarly, the percent equation can be used to calculate discounts or taxes, where the part is the discount or tax amount, the whole is the original price or pre-tax amount, and the percentage is the discount or tax rate. Understanding how to apply the percent equation in these practical scenarios is crucial for making informed financial decisions.

Related terms

Part:

The specific quantity or amount being considered as a portion of the whole.

Whole:

The total or complete amount that the part is being compared to.

Percentage:

A way of expressing a part in relation to a whole, typically represented as a number out of 100.