Word problem

Question

Kraft makes different types of sliced cheese. According to Calorie Count, the reduced calorie singles have 45 calories. This is 36% fewer calories than the regular American Singles. How many calories do the regular American Singles have?

Answer 1

Hi Minhee;

36% fewer calories means 100%-36%=64%.  The claim is that Kraft's reduced calorie singles, consisting of 45 calories, is 64% of American Singles, 36% fewer calories.

100%=1.00

36%=0.36

64%=0.64

 

(1.00-0.36)x=45

(0.64)x=45

Let's divide both sides by 0.64...

[(0.64)x]/(0.64)=45/0.64

x=70, in round figures

 

Let's check our work...

(70)-[(70)(0.36)]=45

70-25=45

25 is also a round figure.

Answer 2

According to the wording of the problem...

If 45 calories is 36% fewer than regular American Singles, this means 36% less calories than regular American Singles.

This means 45 calories is 64% of the number of calories of regular American Singles.

Therefore the equation is 45=64% of what number ?

45=0.64*C, where C=# of calories of regular American Singles.

45/0.64=C

C=70.3125 calories in regular American Singles

36% of 70.3125=25.3125

70.3125-25.3125=45

If the wording was 45 is 36% of the number of calories

in regular American Singles, then the equation would be 45=0.36*C, 45/0.36=C, and C=125.

Again, the wording is 36% fewer calories so the number of calories, 45, is only 64% of the number of calories in regular American Singles !