Example

Solving '6.5% of what number is $1.17?'

To translate and solve "6.5%6.5\% of what number is $1.17?", apply the percent-sentence-to-equation process:

  1. Assign a variable: Let nn = the unknown number.
  2. Translate keyword by keyword: "6.5%6.5\%" converts to the decimal 0.0650.065; "of" becomes multiplication; "what number" becomes nn; "is" becomes ==; "$1.17" becomes 1.171.17.
  3. Write the equation: 0.065n=1.170.065n = 1.17
  4. Divide both sides by 0.0650.065: 0.065n0.065=1.170.065\frac{0.065n}{0.065} = \frac{1.17}{0.065}
  5. Simplify: n=18n = 18

Therefore, 6.5%6.5\% of $18 is $1.17.

In this type of percent equation, the base (the whole amount) is unknown, so the variable is not isolated after translation — it appears as part of the product 0.065n0.065n. Dividing both sides by the decimal coefficient isolates nn and reveals the answer.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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