Question 118571
Let x=unknown number


Let's translate the sentence "26 is 40% of what number". Remember, the key word "is" means equals and "of" means multiply. So "26 is 40% of what number" becomes:


26=40%*x



Now divide 40 by 100 to change the percent into a decimal (ie 40%={{{40/100=0.40}}}



So our equation is now: {{{26=0.40*x}}}




{{{26/0.40=cross(0.40/0.40)*x}}} Now divide both sides by 0.40 to isolate x



{{{65=x}}} Divide {{{26/0.40}}} to get 65


So our unknown number is {{{x=65}}}



Check:


Notice if we take 40% of 65 we get


65*0.40=26


So this verifies our answer.