What percent of 16 is 10?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To find what percent of 16 is 10, we set up the problem as follows:
[
\frac{10}{16} \times 100 = x
]
Calculating:
[
\frac{10}{16} = 0.625
]
[
0.625 \times 100 = 62.5
]
So, 10 is 62.5% of 16.
Explanation
When solving percentage problems, the goal is often to determine how one number compares to another as a part of a whole, expressed as a percentage. In this case, we are asked what percent 10 is of 16. This problem can be approached by using the formula:
[
\text{Percentage} = \left(\frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Whole}}\right) \times 100
]
- Identify the “Part” and the “Whole”: Here, the “Part” is 10, and the “Whole” is 16. We are essentially finding the fraction of 16 that 10 represents and then converting that fraction into a percentage.
- Divide the Part by the Whole: Dividing 10 by 16 gives 0.625. This step provides the decimal form of the fraction, indicating that 10 represents 0.625 of 16.
- Convert the Decimal to a Percentage: To turn the decimal into a percentage, we multiply by 100. Therefore, (0.625 \times 100 = 62.5\%).
Why This Method Works
The multiplication by 100 is crucial because a percentage represents a number as parts out of 100. By using this method, we standardize any ratio or fraction to a familiar percentage form. This calculation method is commonly used in everyday life, such as finding discounts, increases, or comparing one quantity as a percentage of another.
Practical Applications
Understanding how to determine percentages is valuable for interpreting data, such as survey results, budgeting, and performance metrics. For instance, if you scored 10 out of 16 points on a test, converting this score into a percentage (62.5%) provides an easy way to understand your performance relative to the total score.