Ron Larson
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1.3 Using Percent

1.3 Using Percent
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  • Math Help

    When you are finding "what percent one number is of another," be sure you understand the following.

    1. A percent is the ratio of two numbers.
    2. The numerator and denominator are measured in the same units.
    3. The numerator is the part.
    4. The denominator is the base.
    5. Dividing the numerator by the denominator produces the decimal form of a percent.

     

    Here are some examples.

    1. Of 16 coins, 4 are nickels.

      So, 25% of the coins are nickels.

    2. Your hourly wage of $9.50 will be increased by $2.15.

      So, you will receive a 22.6% raise.

  • Consumer Suggestion

    Did you know that the game SCRABBLE was invented during the Great Depression? Use a search engine to discover the origins of your favorite board or card game.

  • Checkpoint Solution

    Begin by counting the number of tiles and the number of vowels. There are 103 letters in this Spanish version of SCRABBLE.

    Number of A's:
    11
    Number of E's:
    11
    Number of I's:
    6
    Number of O's:
    8
    Number of U's:
    6
    Total:
    42

    42 letters divided by 103 letters = 0.41 = 41 percent

    So, in this Spanish version of SCRABBLE, about 41% of the tiles are vowels.

    Note: A different Spanish version of SCRABBLE is sold outside of North America and has 100 letter tiles, including

    Number of A's:
    12
    Number of E's:
    12
    Number of I's:
    6
    Number of O's:
    9
    Number of U's:
    5
    Total:
    44

    To solve the problem using this version of SCRABBLE

    44 letters divided by 100 letters = 0.44 = 44 percent

    So, in the Spanish version of SCRABBLE, exactly 44% of the tiles are vowels.

  • Comments (3)

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    system user
    Ron Larson (author)1 decade ago |
    We made the changes to the Checkpoint Solution above. As noted above, the confusion came about because there are two Spanish versions of Scrabble. One is sold in North America and one is sold outside North America. For some reason, the two different versions have slightly different letters.
    0
    system user
    Cody (moderator)1 decade ago |
    Thank you very much for catching this. The correct solution should be 42/103, which is approximately 41%. The changes will be posted to the website soon.
    0
    system user
    Guest   1 decade ago |
    Book problem says 11 A's and 11 E's. Solution says 12 A's and 12 E's
    0
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