word problem

Question

Of 1200 people surveyed, 72% said that chocolate was their favourite treat. How many people DID NOT say chocolate was their favourite treat?

Answer 1

Jordan, it looks like you are not understanding percentages. Remember that "percent" means "for every 100". This means that 72% = 72/100 = .72

 

We can solve this two different ways. If 72% of 1200 people liked chocolate, then 1200(.72) = 864 people who liked chocolate.

 

We are asked for how many did not like chocolate, so 1200 - 864 = 336 people.

 

The 2nd way is to realize that if 72% liked chocolate, then 28% did not, because 100% - 72% = 28%.

 

1200(.28) = 336.

 

Bam.