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| Arithmetic: Percent Problems |
| SATprepararion.net |
| While most people think the SAT is a test of advanced math, about one-fourth of the questions are arithmetic. Most students need to review this arithmetic. |
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| SAT TIP: Review three types of percent problems. |
| Questions? Write the SATtutor@SATpreparation.net |
| Math Review |
| If you know the whole and you want to find a percent of it, multiply the whole by the decimal equivalent of the percent. For example: What is 40% of $300? ($300 is the whole amount.) X = .40 x $300 or X = $120 If you know a part of a whole and you want to find the whole, divide the part by the decimal equivalent of the percent. For example: $120 is 40% of what amount? ($120 is a part of the whole.) $120 = .40 x X (Now, divide both sides by .40) $300 = X If you want to find what percent a part is of a whole, divide the part by the whole. For example: $120 is what percent of $300? $120 = X x .01 x $300 or $120 = X x $3 (Now, divide both sides by 3.) .40 = X or X = 40% Practice with these examples: An easy problem for scores from 200 to 400 A moderate problem for scores from 400 to 600 A difficult problem for scores from 600 to 800 For more practice: Click here for problems in The Official SAT Study Guide. Click here to return to Web Book Access |