Unit 3: Working with Percent

Topic A: Finding a Percent of a Number

[latex]\dfrac{\text{is(part)}}{\text{of(whole)}} = \dfrac{\%}{100}[/latex]

In problems in which you find a percent of a number, the missing term is the part. You will be given the % which is always 100.

Example A

What is [latex]25\%\text{ of }40[/latex]?

  • Part (is) = N
  • Whole (of) = 40
  • % = 25

[latex]\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\textit{N}}{40}=\dfrac{25}{100}[/latex]

Solve the proportion.

  • Simplify if possible:
  • [latex]\dfrac{\textit{N}}{40} = \dfrac{25}{100}[/latex]
    [latex]\dfrac{\textit{N}}{40} = \dfrac{\cancel{25} 1}{\cancel{100} 4}[/latex]
  • [latex]\dfrac{\textit{N}}{40} =\dfrac{1}{4}[/latex]
  • Cross multiply:
    [latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \textit{N}\times4 &= 40\times1 \\ 4\textit{N} &= 40 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]
  • Divide:
    [latex]\textit{N} = 40\div4=10[/latex]

[latex]25\%\text{ of }40 = 10[/latex]

Example B

What is [latex]20\%\text{ of }18[/latex]?

  • Part (is) = N
  • Whole (of) = 18
  • % = 20

[latex]\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\textit{N}}{18}=\dfrac{20}{100}[/latex]

Solve the proportion:

[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\textit{N}}{18} &= \dfrac{20}{100} \\ \dfrac{\textit{N}}{18} &= \dfrac{\cancel{20} 1}{\cancel{100} 5} \\ \dfrac{\textit{N}}{18} &= \dfrac{1}{5} \\ 5\textit{N} &= 18 \\ \textit{N} &= 18\div5=3\tfrac{3}{5} \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

[latex]20\%\text{ of }18 = 3\tfrac{3}{5}[/latex]

The following examples all ask you to find a percent of a number. The missing term is the part (the “is” part). Look at the examples carefully so you’ll recognize the wording.

  • What is [latex]14\%\text{ of }60[/latex]?[latex]\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\textit{N}}{60}=\dfrac{14}{100}[/latex]
  • Find [latex]10\%\text{ of }27[/latex].[latex]\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\textit{P}}{27}=\dfrac{10}{100}[/latex]
  • [latex]5\%\text{ of }15[/latex] is                    .[latex]\dfrac{\%}{100}=\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}\longrightarrow\dfrac{5}{100}=\dfrac{\textit{X}}{15}[/latex]
  • [latex]75\%\text{ of }12 =[/latex]                    .[latex]\dfrac{\%}{100}=\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}\longrightarrow\dfrac{75}{100}=\dfrac{\textit{K}}{12}[/latex]

In percent problems, the number after the word of usually represents the whole.

Exercise 1

Solve each problem by setting up the proportion [latex]\dfrac{\text{is (part)}}{\text{of (whole)}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}[/latex].

  1. [latex]20\%\text{ of }18 =[/latex]
  2. [latex]19\%\text{ of }200 =[/latex]
  3. [latex]25\%\text{ of }44 =[/latex]
  4. [latex]6\%\text{ of }110 =[/latex]
  5. [latex]3\%\text{ of }33 =[/latex]
  6. [latex]30\%\text{ of }64 =[/latex]
  7. [latex]50\%\text{ of }60[/latex] is?
  8. [latex]30\%\text{ of }40[/latex] is?
  9. What is [latex]72\%\text{ of }$425[/latex]?
  10. What is [latex]20\%\text{ of }85[/latex]?

Answers to Exercise 1

  1. [latex]3\tfrac{3}{5}[/latex] or [latex]3.6[/latex]
  2. [latex]38[/latex]
  3. [latex]11[/latex]
  4. [latex]6\tfrac{3}{5}[/latex] or [latex]6.6[/latex]
  5. [latex]\tfrac{99}{100}[/latex] or [latex]0.99[/latex]
  6. [latex]19\tfrac{1}{5}[/latex] or [latex]19.2[/latex]
  7. [latex]30[/latex]
  8. [latex]12[/latex]
  9. [latex]$306[/latex]
  10. [latex]17[/latex]

 

Percents Greater Than or Equal to 100%

Remember that [latex]100\% = 1[/latex].

100% of anything is the whole thing. If you spend 100% of your pay cheque, you spend the whole thing. If you get 100% on a test, you have the whole thing correct.

If you have more than 100%, you have more than the whole thing. If you spend 110% of your paycheque, you spent more than you earned, and you may be in trouble! It is hard to get more than 100% on a test unless the instructor has given bonus marks for extra questions. You may hear of percents more than 100% in increases, such as costs of housing or inflation. For example, “The Browns just sold their house and made a 200% profit.” This means they got back what they paid and two times more!

If a percent is less than (<) 100, it is less than the whole thing.

  • [latex]120\%\text{ of }50 = 60[/latex]

If a percent is 100, it equals the whole thing.

  • [latex]90\%\text{ of }50 = 45[/latex]

If a percent is more than (>) 100, it is more than the whole thing.

  • [latex]100\%\text{ of }50 = 50[/latex]

Exercise 2

Look at the percent. Is it 100? Circle the correct answer for each question. Do not solve the problems.

  1. [latex]200\%\text{ of }10[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 10
    2. less than 10
    3. greater than 10

     

  2. [latex]50\%\text{ of }0.25[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 0.25
    2. less than 0.25
    3. greater than 0.25

     

  3. [latex]90\%\text{ of }75[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 75
    2. less than 75
    3. greater than 75

     

  4. [latex]33\tfrac{1}{3}\%\text{ of }15[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 15
    2. less than 15
    3. greater than 15

     

  5. [latex]100\%\text{ of }100[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 100
    2. less than 100
    3. greater than 100

     

  6. [latex]127\%\text{ of }936[/latex] is:
    1. equal to 936
    2. less than 936
    3. greater than 936

Answers to Exercise 2

  1. iii) greater than 10
  2. ii) less than 0.25
  3. ii) less than 75
  4. ii) less than 15
  5. i) equal to 100
  6. iii) greater than 936

Exercise 3

Review p. 70 first and use the proportion method to solve these questions.

  1. [latex]16\tfrac{2}{3}\%\text{ of }12 =[/latex]
  2. What is [latex]60\%\text{ of }15[/latex]?
  3. [latex]75\%\text{ of }144[/latex] is?
  4. [latex]30\%\text{ of }90 =[/latex]
  5. What is [latex]37\tfrac{1}{2}\%\text{ of }80[/latex]?
  6. [latex]25\%\text{ of }52[/latex] is?
  7. Find [latex]8.2\%\text{ of }300[/latex].
  8. [latex]260\%\text{ of }45[/latex] is?
  9. What is [latex]109\%\text{ of }200[/latex]?
  10. [latex]98.75\%\text{ of }50 =[/latex]

Answers to Exercise 3

  1. [latex]2[/latex]
  2. [latex]9[/latex]
  3. [latex]108[/latex]
  4. [latex]27[/latex]
  5. [latex]30[/latex]
  6. [latex]13[/latex]
  7. [latex]24.6[/latex]
  8. [latex]117[/latex]
  9. [latex]218[/latex]
  10. [latex]49.375[/latex]

 

Taxes

The amount of tax to be paid is calculated by finding a percent of a number. The tax rate is usually given as a percent. The basic proportion for these problems is:

[latex]\dfrac{\text{tax (part)}}{\text{taxable amount (whole)}}=\dfrac{\%\text{tax}}{100}[/latex]

Please note that the tax rates used in the questions in this book are for the year 2010 and are subject to change.

The British Columbia Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is 12%. In B.C., the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax does not have to be paid on children’s clothes, food, books, gasoline and diesel fuel, and other special items.

Example A

How much HST (12%) will be charged on a new kitchen table that cost $125?Use proportion:

[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\textit{HST}}{$125} &= \dfrac{12}{100} \\ 100\textit{HST} &= 12\times125 &= $1,500 \\ \textit{HST} &= $1,500\div100 &= $15.00 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

HST on a $125 table is $15.00.

Exercise 4

Find the total cost of each item. All are to be taxed with HST.

Purchase Price HST 12% Total Cost
A Clothes: $130
B Washing Machine: $589
C New Car: $10,000
D Shoes: $59.99

Answers to Exercise 4

Purchase Price HST 12% Total Cost
A Clothes: $130 $15.60 $145.60
B Washing Machine: $589 $70.68 $659.68
C New Car: $10,000 $1,200 $11,200
D Shoes: $59.99 $7.20 $67.19

Income tax is charged at different percentages according to the amount of a person’s taxable income. The first $28,000 of taxable income is taxed at 17%. Note that other tax rules and charges may apply in real situations.

Example B

If a person’s taxable income for the year is $23,400, what amount of income tax will that person pay? To use the proportion method, do this:

[latex]\dfrac{\text{tax}}{\text{income}}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\text{T}}{$23,400}=\dfrac{17}{100}[/latex]

The tax is the part. The income is the whole.

Solve for $3,978.

The income tax on $23,400 is $3,978.

Exercise 5

Calculate the income tax for the annual taxable earnings listed. These amounts are all under $28,000, so the tax rate is 17%.

  1. $18,500
  2. $27,620
  3. $15,365
  4. $25,900

Answers to Exercise 5

  1. $3,145
  2. $4,695.40
  3. $2,612.05
  4. $4,403

 

Cross-Border Shopping

The Canadian (CAN) and American (US) dollars are not equal in value. The exchange rate (the value of one Canadian dollar compared to a dollar from another country) changes often; the current rate is usually available from banks, on the news, in the newspapers and on a web site. In the winter of 2010, the Canadian dollar was around $0.92 of an American dollar (ratio is [latex]$1.00\text{ CAN}:$0.92\text{ US}[/latex]), so CAN money was valued at 92% of US money.

To find the value of one US dollar in Canadian funds, use this proportion:

[latex]\dfrac{$1\text{ CAN}}{$0.92\text{ US}}=\dfrac{\textit{N}\text{ CAN}}{$1\text{ US}}[/latex]

[latex]\textit{N}=$1\div$0.92=$1.086[/latex], so US money was valued at 109% of CAN money.

Note that the proportion changes as the exchange rate changes.

What if you buy in the United States?

  • Change the US cost to the Canadian equivalent (multiply by 109%).
  • If you have more than the purchases allowed (call the Canada Border Service Agency for information), the Canadian Customs charge duty on the Canadian value of your purchases. The percent of the duty (the rate) varies according to what the item is, where it was made and the duty rates of the day. For example, duty on poultry is 12.5%, on non-US cotton 25%, and on liquor 110%!
    • Duty is gradually being eliminated under the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement. If an item is made in North America, there is no duty charged because of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
  • HST (12%) is charged on the duty and on the Canadian value of the purchases (which includes any US sales taxes).

Look at this example (assume $1.00 CAN = $0.92 US).

[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \text{Men's leather shoes, US price} &\hspace{2cm} &$64.80 \\ \\ \text{US sales tax }6\% &\hspace{2cm} &3.89 \\ \text{US total cost} &\hspace{2cm} &68.69 \\ \\ \text{Equivalent cost in CAN funds (US cost }\times 109\%\text{)} \\ \\ \dfrac{\textit{N}}{68.69}=\dfrac{109}{100} &\hspace{2cm} &$74.87 \\ \\ \text{Duty on leather shoes is }22.8\% &\hspace{2cm} &$17.07 \\ \\ \text{HST (}12\%\text{) on CAN value plus duty} \\ \\ 12\%\text{ of }$74.19\text{ and }16.92\text{ together} &\hspace{2cm} &$11.03 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

The total cost of a pair of leather shoes priced at $64.80 in the United States will be the American price in Canadian funds + duty + HST = $102.97 CAN.

Exercise 6

For each item, do the calculations using the duty and tax rates given. Assume $1.00 US is $1.09 CAN.

  1. Groceries, US price $75.
    1. 3% US sales tax
    2. US total cost
    3. Equivalent value in CAN funds
    4. Duty at 10.2% (No HST on food)
    5. Total cost in Canadian funds

Answers to Exercise 6

    1. $2.25
    2. $77.25
    3. $84.20
    4. $8.59
    5. $92.79

 

Increases and Decreases, Discounts and Mark-ups

Increases (amount changing to more) and decreases (amount changing to less) are often given as a percent. For example,

  • The Insurance Corporation of B.C. increased car insurance rates by 3.3% in March 2007.
  • The number of acute care beds at the local hospital has decreased by 28% in the last year.
  • The new work contract provides a 4% wage increase in the first year and a 2½% increase in the second year.

The amount of an increase or decrease is calculated by finding a percent of a number. When the percent of an increase or decrease is given, the proportion is:

[latex]\dfrac{\text{amount of increase or decrease}}{\text{whole amount}}=\dfrac{\text{increase or decrease }\%}{100}[/latex]

Discounts are a form of decrease. The discount is the amount taken off a price; it is the price reduction.

Sale prices (discounted prices) may be advertised as:

  • “All items 20% off.”
  • “Everything in stock reduced by 25% to 50%.”
  • “33⅓% savings!”
  • “2% discount for cash.”

Decrease and discount problems may need to be solved in several steps. Sometimes the problems ask for:

  • the amount of the decrease (may be called the “saving”) (1 step).
  • the amount left after the decrease (2 steps).

 

Example A

The sign says, “All winter coats 40% off.” How much money will you save on a coat originally priced at $128.99?What is 40% of $128.99?

One step problem

[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{decrease}}{\text{original price}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{D}}{$128.99} &=\dfrac{40}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{D} &=40\times$128.99 \\ &\text{D} &=$5,519.60\div100 &=$51.596 \\ & &\text{round to nearest cent} &=$51.60 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

You will save $51.60.

Example B

The couch and chair are advertised in a 33⅓% price reduction sale. How much will you pay for a couch and chair originally priced at $798?

Two step problem

First: Find the amount of savings (the decrease).

Recall from p. 70 that it’s best to substitute ⅓ for 33⅓%.

[latex]\dfrac{\textit{saving}}{\textit{full cost}}\longrightarrow\dfrac{\textit{S}}{798}=\dfrac{1}{3}[/latex]

Second: Subtract the savings from the original amount.

[latex]\text{original amount} - \text{savings} = \text{sale price}[/latex]

  1. Find the amount of savings.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{S}}{798} &= \dfrac{1}{3} \\ \\ 798\times\dfrac{1}{3} &= \text{S} \\ \\ \dfrac{798}{1}\times\dfrac{1}{3} &= \text{S} \\ \\ 266 &= \text{S} \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]
  2. Find the sale price.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \text{original amount} &- \text{savings (decrease)} &= \text{sale price} \\ $798 &- $266 &= $532 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]The couch and chair will cost $532 on sale (plus HST of course, but you do not have to calculate tax for this problem).

Exercise 7

Solve these problems. Round all answers to the nearest cent.

  1. The employees agreed to take a 5% pay cut (reduction) so no-one will be laid off. If the pay rate was $15.50 per hour, how much less per hour will the workers earn?
  2. “All shoes 25% off,” says the sign. What will be the sale price of a pair of dress shoes originally priced at $69.98?
  3. The work force at the factory has to be reduced by 16⅔% over the next two years. Early retirements, attrition (not replacing people who leave) and some lay-offs will be used. The work force is 3,000 people right now. What is the planned size of the work force in two years?

Answers to Exercise 7

  1. $0.78
  2. $52.48
  3. 2,500 people

Increases and mark-ups are calculated in the same way as decreases and discounts. However, an increase or mark-up is added to the original amount.

Example C

The auto insurance rate increased 19%. The basic insurance rate for Don’s car was $550 before the increase. What is the basic insurance after the increase?

  1. Calculate the amount of the increase. Find 19% of $550.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{amount of increase}}{\text{present cost}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{N}}{550} &=\dfrac{19}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{N} &=550\times19 \\ &\text{N} &= 104.5 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]
  2. Add the amount of increase to the original amount.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \text{original amount} &+ \text{increase} &= \text{new insurance cost} \\ $550 &+ $104.50 &= $654.50 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]Don’s new basic insurance is $654.50.

Mark-ups are the amount added to the cost price before an item is resold. Many factors must be considered when businesses decide on the percent of the mark-up:

  • all costs of operating a business
  • the profit wanted
  • the community the business is in
  • the competition the business has

For example, the mark-up on leather shoes may be 45%, but on running shoes it may be 60%. Kitchen appliances might have a 42% mark-up, while lawn mowers might have a 55% mark-up.

Example D

A shoe seller pays $40.00 per pair of running shoes from the factory. The shoe seller makes the mark up 75%. What is the selling price of the shoes?What is 75% of $40.00?

[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{mark-up cost}}{\text{original cost}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{N}}{40} &=\dfrac{75}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{N} &=3,000 \\ &\text{N} &= 30 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

75% of $40.00 is $30.00.

Add the mark up to the original cost to get the selling price of the shoes:

[latex]$40 + $30 = $70.00[/latex].

Wage Increase

Having a wage increase at work is always a good thing! Often the raise will be given as a percentage. That means that everyone will see more money on their pay cheque, but they will each have a different amount because they all get paid a different amount to start with.

Example E

The boss at A-1 House Painting will give a 1.5% wage increase to the 10 employees.

  1. 3 staff are paid the minimum wage of $13.85 an hour.
  2. the other 7 staff are paid $21.00 an hour.

 

  1. What is 1.5% of $13.85?[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{increase}}{\text{present wage}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{I}}{13.85} &=\dfrac{1.5}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{I} &= 13.85\times1.5 \\ &\text{I} &= $0.21 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]The new wage will be the old wage plus the increase:
    [latex]$13.85 + $0.21 = $14.06\text{ per hour}[/latex]
  2. What is 1.5% of $21.00?[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{increase}}{\text{present wage}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{I}}{21} &=\dfrac{1.5}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{I} &= 21\times1.5 \\ &\text{I} &= $0.32 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]The new wage will be the old wage plus the increase:
    [latex]$21.00 + $0.32 = $21.32\text{ per hour}[/latex]

Exercise 8

Solve the problems. Round money to the nearest cent.

  1. If the mark-up on the craft supplies was set at 75%, calculate the selling price for these items and complete the chart.
    Cost Price to Business Mark-up (75%) Selling Price
    Silk Flowers: $1.48 [latex]\dfrac{\text{N}}{1.48}=\dfrac{75}{100}=$1.11[/latex] [latex]$1.48+$1.11=$2.59[/latex]
    Stuffing: $4.50/bag
    Beads: $3.20/dozen
  2. The population of the town has increased 30% since the pulp mill was built. The population before the pulp mill was 8,436 people. What is the population now?
    (Round to the nearest person.)
  3. The wage contract gave the workers a 4% increase in the first year and a 2½% increase in the second year. If the hourly rate of pay was $12.45 before the new contract, calculate the following:
    1. The amount of the increase per hour in the first year.
    2. The hourly pay rate in the first year. (old pay + increase = first year rate)
    3. The amount of pay increase in the second year. (Note—use the new hourly pay rate from the first year to calculate the increase for the second year.)
    4. The hourly pay rate in the second year. (first year rate + increase = second year rate)

Answers to Exercise 8

  1. Cost Price to Business Mark-up (75%) Selling Price
    Silk Flowers: $1.48 $1.11 $2.59
    Stuffing: $4.50/bag $3.38 $7.88
    Beads: $3.20/dozen $2.40 $5.60
  2. 10,967 people
    1. $0.50
    2. $12.95
    3. $0.32
    4. $13.27

 

Commission and Tips

Salespeople may receive a commission as part or all of their pay. The business owner pays the salesperson an agreed-upon percent of the selling price of the product.

  • Real estate agents are paid by commission on their sales.
  • Car and truck salespeople may be paid a small salary per month, but their main income is the commission on the vehicles they sell.

Tips are appreciation payments for service. The customer gives tips directly to the worker. Taxi drivers, waiters, bellhops and chambermaids in hotels often receive a minimal hourly wage. A large part of their earnings is from tips. In restaurants, expect to leave at least a 15% tip for adequate service.

To calculate the amount of a commission (or a tip), find the percentage of the total amount using the proportion:

[latex]\dfrac{\textit{commission }\square}{\textit{total amount}}=\dfrac{\textit{commission }\%}{100}[/latex]

The commission is the part.
The total amount is the whole.

Commission problems often have several steps. You may have to:

  • add together several items to find the total of sales.
  • subtract a base amount for which salespeople do not receive a commission.
  • add the amount of commission to the basic wage to find out how much the person earned.

 

Example A

The bill for the excellent dinner at the restaurant was $56.40. The service had been good and the waiter very pleasant so Bill and Diane wanted to leave at least a 15% tip.

  1. To calculate the tip, find 15% of $56.40.
    The tip is the part. The bill is the whole.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{tip}}{\text{bill}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{N}}{56.40} &=\dfrac{15}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{N} &= 56.40\times15 \\ &\text{N} &= $8.46 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]Bill will round this amount to $8.50
  2. How much will he pay for the meal and the tip?[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \text{cost of dinner} &\hspace{2cm} &$56.40 \\ + \text{tip} &\hspace{2cm} &$8.50 \\ & &$64.90 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]

In a real situation, we would probably round the amount of the bill to the nearest dollar and then calculate the tip.

Example B

The salespeople at XW Ford receive a monthly salary of $1,000. They also receive a 12% commission on any sales over $35,000 in a month. This means they are expected to sell $35,000 worth of vehicles every month to earn the $1,000 salary. If a saleswoman made $54,000 in sales one month, what would her gross earning be?You are asked to find the gross monthly earnings. What do you know?

  • She earns $1,000 per month.
  • She earns 12% commission on sales over $35,000.
  • She had $54,000 in sales.
  1. Find the amount of commissionable sales.Subtract the base amount for which she will not earn a commission from her total sales.[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \text{total sales} &- \text{base amount} &= \text{amount of sales that commission will be paid for} \\ $54,000 &- $35,000 &= $19,000\text{ in commissionable sales} \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]
  2. Calculate the commission.What is 12% of $19,000?[latex]\begin{equation}\begin{split} \dfrac{\text{commission}}{\text{commissionable sales}}\longrightarrow &\dfrac{\text{X}}{19,000} &=\dfrac{12}{100} \\ \\ &100\text{X} &= 19,000\times12 \\ &100\text{X} &= 228,000 \\ &\text{X} &= $2,280 \end{split}\end{equation}[/latex]
  3. Add the salary and commission to find gross earnings.
    [latex]$1,000 + $ 2,280 = $3,280.[/latex]The saleswoman earned $3,280.

Exercise 9

  1. A clerk sold $18,000 worth of clothes last year. He was paid a 15% commission. How much was his commission?
  2. Mr. Green receives a weekly salary of $325 plus a commission of 10% on all sales he makes over $1,500. Last week Mr. Green sold $3,500 worth of merchandise. How much money did he earn last week?
  3. The final bill at the restaurant is $160 and you want to leave a 15% tip.
    1. What amount of tip should you leave?
    2. What is the total cost (bill and tip)?

Answers to Exercise 9

  1. $2,700
  2. $525
    1. $24.00
    2. $184.00

More Problems for Finding a Percent of a Number

  1. To successfully pass the course, the student must get at least 80% on the test. The test is out of 125. What mark will give the student 80%?
  2. George made a 12½% down payment on a new car which cost $3,200. How much was the down payment?
  3. In B.C., employers are required to pay 6% holiday pay to all employees. Holiday pay is added to regular salary if a paid vacation is not taken. The young grocery clerk who earns $8.00 an hour worked 25 hours last week.
    1. What amount of holiday pay is he eligible for?
    2. His employer pays holiday pay on each cheque to part-time employees. What are his total earnings for the week? (salary + holiday pay)
  4. Nutrition experts recommend that no more than 30% of the food calories a person consumes should be from fats. Foods such as fatty meat, dairy products with lots of butter fat, cooking oils, margarine, some salad dressings, and nuts contain a high percentage of fat. If a person’s daily intake of calories is 2,560, what is the most number of calories that should be from fat?

Answers to More Problems for Finding a Percent of a Number

  1. 100 marks
  2. $400
    1. $12.00
    2. $212.00
  3. 768 calories

 

Topic A: Self-Test

Mark       /11                  Aim        9/11

  1. Answer the following.
    (4 marks)

    1. [latex]6\%\text{ of }30 =[/latex]
    2. [latex]\tfrac{1}{4}\%\text{ of }48[/latex] is?
    3. Find [latex]131\%\text{ of }400[/latex].
    4. Write the general proportion that can be used to solve percent problems.

     

  2. Solve the problems. (2 marks each, except c)
    (7 marks)

    1. The $125,000 house is insured for 85% of its value against fire damage. How much money should the owner receive if the house is destroyed by fire?
    2. Charlotte sells leisure clothes in her small town for a large national company. She receives $500 a month, and a 20% commission on all monthly sales over $1 000. What are her monthly earnings if her total sales are $2,300?
    3. The barbeque was originally priced at $599 but Jack bought it during a 35% off, end-of-season sale.
      1. What was the sale price? (1 mark)
      2. Calculate the harmonized sales tax (12%). (1 mark)
      3. Give the total cost of Jack’s barbeque. (1 mark)

 

Answers to Topic A Self-Test

    1. [latex]1.8[/latex]
    2. [latex]0.12[/latex]
    3. [latex]524[/latex]
    4. [latex]\dfrac{\textit{part}}{\textit{whole}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}[/latex], or [latex]\dfrac{\textit{is}}{\textit{of}}=\dfrac{\%}{100}[/latex]
    1. $106,250
    2. $760.00
      1. $389.35
      2. $46.72
      3. $436.07

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Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics: Book 6 - 2nd Edition Copyright © 2022 by Liz Girard and Wendy Tagami is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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