Example

Solving 'What number is 35% of 90?'

To translate and solve "What number is 35%35\% of 9090?", apply the percent-sentence-to-equation process:

  1. Assign a variable: Let nn = the unknown number.
  2. Translate keyword by keyword: "What number" becomes nn; "is" becomes ==; "35%35\%" converts to the decimal 0.350.35; "of" becomes multiplication; "9090" remains 9090.
  3. Write the equation: n=0.35×90n = 0.35 \times 90
  4. Multiply: n=31.5n = 31.5

Therefore, 31.531.5 is 35%35\% of 9090.

This type of percent equation — where the amount is unknown — produces a one-step multiplication problem because the variable is already isolated on one side of the equals sign. Converting 35%35\% to its decimal equivalent 0.350.35 before multiplying is the essential prerequisite step.

0

1

Updated 2026-04-22

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.3 Math Models - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Math

Prealgebra

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.2 Solving Linear Equations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Related
Learn After