What number is 85% of 40
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
85% of 40 is 34.
Explanation
To find 85% of 40, you are essentially trying to calculate how much 85 parts out of 100 is worth when the whole is 40. In mathematics, the word “percent” means “per hundred.” So, 85% simply means 85 out of every 100 parts.
There are two primary ways to calculate a percentage of a number:
Method 1: Using Decimal Conversion
Step 1: Convert the percentage to a decimal.
To do this, divide the percentage by 100: 85%=85100=0.8585\% = \frac{85}{100} = 0.85
Step 2: Multiply the decimal by the total value (which is 40): 0.85×40=340.85 \times 40 = 34
So, 85% of 40 is 34.
Method 2: Using Fractional Approach
Alternatively, you can express the percentage as a fraction and then multiply: 85%=8510085\% = \frac{85}{100}
Now multiply this by 40: 85100×40=85×40100=3400100=34\frac{85}{100} \times 40 = \frac{85 \times 40}{100} = \frac{3400}{100} = 34
Again, the answer is 34.
Understanding the Concept
Percentages are widely used in everyday life to express discounts, interest rates, statistics, test scores, and more. In this case, you’re trying to find a portion of a number based on a given percentage. It helps you understand how much of something is being considered out of the whole.
For example, if a student scored 85% on a test with a maximum of 40 marks, they would have scored 34 marks. Similarly, if a store offers an 85% discount on a $40 item (though rare!), you would be paying only $6.
Being able to calculate percentages quickly and accurately is a very useful skill in both academic and real-world settings.
Final Answer: 34.
