40 is 160% of what number

40 is 160% of what number?

The correct answer and explanation is:

To find the number that 40 is 160% of, you can set up a simple proportion.

Let the unknown number be represented by xx. According to the problem, 40 is 160% of this unknown number. This can be written as the equation: 40=160%×x40 = 160\% \times x

To simplify the equation, convert the percentage to a decimal. 160% is equivalent to 1.60 in decimal form. The equation becomes: 40=1.60×x40 = 1.60 \times x

Now, solve for xx by dividing both sides of the equation by 1.60: x=401.60x = \frac{40}{1.60}

When you divide 40 by 1.60, you get: x=25x = 25

Thus, the unknown number is 25.

Explanation:
In percentage problems like this one, the key is to convert the percentage to a decimal and then set up an equation to solve for the unknown number. Percentages represent parts per hundred, so 160% is 160 out of 100, or 1.60 as a decimal. When you divide 40 by 1.60, you are essentially finding what number 40 is 160% of, which turns out to be 25. This method is widely applicable for solving percentage-based problems, where the percentage represents a part of the whole.