第6章百分率

We will solve percent equations by using the methods we used to solve equations with fractions or decimals. In the past, you may have solved percent problems by setting them up as proportions. That was the best method available when you did not have the tools of algebra. Now as a prealgebra student, you can translate word sentences into algebraic equations, and then solve the equations.

We'll look at a common application of percent—tips to a server at a restaurant—to see how to set up a basic percent application.

When Aolani and her friends ate dinner at a restaurant, the bill came to $\text{\$80}.$ They wanted to leave a $\text{20\%}$ tip. What amount would the tip be?

To solve this, we want to find what amount is $\text{20\%}$ of $\text{\$80}.$ The $\text{\$80}$ is called the base. The amount of the tip would be $0.20\left(80\right),$ or $\text{\$16}$ See Figure 6.6. To find the amount of the tip, we multiplied the percent by the base.

In the next examples, we will find the amount. We must be sure to change the given percent to a decimal when we translate the words into an equation.

In the next examples, we are asked to find the base.

In the next examples, we will solve for the percent.

Many applications of percent occur in our daily lives, such as tips, sales tax, discount, and interest. To solve these applications we'll translate to a basic percent equation, just like those we solved in the previous examples in this section. Once you translate the sentence into a percent equation, you know how to solve it.

We will update the strategy we used in our earlier applications to include equations now. Notice that we will translate a sentence into an equation.

Now that we have the strategy to refer to, and have practiced solving basic percent equations, we are ready to solve percent applications. Be sure to ask yourself if your final answer makes sense—since many of the applications we'll solve involve everyday situations, you can rely on your own experience.