SOLUTION: How would I solve a problem like "32 is 40% of what number?" Please help!

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Question 875742: How would I solve a problem like "32 is 40% of what number?"
Please help!
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39621) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Translate or convert that description into numbers. Let some variable be the "what number"; for example, let x be this "what number".

32=%2840%2F100%29%2Ax
Solve for x.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"is" translates to =

"of" means multiply


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"32 is 40% of what number" translates to the equation 32+=+0.40x for some unknown number x.


Note: remember that 40% = 40/100 = 0.40


Let's solve for x


32+=+0.40x


32%2F0.40+=+0.40x%2F0.40 Divide both sides by 0.40 to isolate x.


32%2F0.40+=+x


80+=+x


x+=+80


The unknown number is 80