Percent Proportion Word Problems Worksheet

Understanding Percent Proportion Word Problems

Percent proportion word problems are a type of math problem that involves finding the proportion of a quantity to a whole as a percentage. These problems are commonly seen in real-world applications, such as finance, science, and engineering. In this article, we will explore how to solve percent proportion word problems with ease.

What is a Percent Proportion Word Problem?

A percent proportion word problem is a problem that involves finding the percentage of a part to a whole. It can be represented mathematically as:

Part/Whole = Percentage

Where the part is a portion of the whole, and the percentage is the proportion of the part to the whole.

Examples of Percent Proportion Word Problems

Here are a few examples of percent proportion word problems:

• A shirt is on sale for 20% off its original price of $50. How much will you pay for the shirt?
• A bakery is having a sale on bread, offering 15% off all loaves. If a loaf of bread normally costs $2.50, how much will you pay for it during the sale?
• A car dealership is offering a 10% discount on all cars. If a car normally costs $20,000, how much will you pay for it during the sale?

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving Percent Proportion Word Problems

To solve percent proportion word problems, follow these steps:

1. Read the problem carefully: Read the problem carefully and identify the part and the whole.
2. Identify the percentage: Identify the percentage that the part is of the whole.
3. Set up the proportion: Set up the proportion using the formula: Part/Whole = Percentage.
4. Convert the percentage to a decimal: Convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100.
5. Solve for the part: Solve for the part by multiplying the whole by the decimal equivalent of the percentage.

📝 Note: Make sure to read the problem carefully and identify the part and the whole correctly.

Examples of Solving Percent Proportion Word Problems

Let’s solve the examples we provided earlier:

• A shirt is on sale for 20% off its original price of $50. How much will you pay for the shirt?

Part = 50 (original price) Whole = 50 (original price) Percentage = 20%

Set up the proportion: 50 - (20/100) \* 50 =?

Convert the percentage to a decimal: ²⁰⁄₁₀₀ = 0.2

Solve for the part: 50 - 0.2 \* 50 = 50 - 10 = $40

• A bakery is having a sale on bread, offering 15% off all loaves. If a loaf of bread normally costs $2.50, how much will you pay for it during the sale?

Part = 2.50 (original price) Whole = 2.50 (original price) Percentage = 15%

Set up the proportion: 2.50 - (15/100) \* 2.50 =?

Convert the percentage to a decimal: ¹⁵⁄₁₀₀ = 0.15

Solve for the part: 2.50 - 0.15 \* 2.50 = 2.50 - 0.38 = $2.12

• A car dealership is offering a 10% discount on all cars. If a car normally costs $20,000, how much will you pay for it during the sale?

Part = 20,000 (original price) Whole = 20,000 (original price) Percentage = 10%

Set up the proportion: 20,000 - (10/100) \* 20,000 =?

Convert the percentage to a decimal: ¹⁰⁄₁₀₀ = 0.1

Solve for the part: 20,000 - 0.1 \* 20,000 = 20,000 - 2,000 = $18,000

Conclusion

Percent proportion word problems are a type of math problem that involves finding the proportion of a quantity to a whole as a percentage. To solve these problems, follow the steps outlined above, which include reading the problem carefully, identifying the part and the whole, setting up the proportion, converting the percentage to a decimal, and solving for the part. By practicing these steps, you will become proficient in solving percent proportion word problems.