Richie E.

asked • 09/21/19

Percent problem - My friend and I disagree - Who is right?

One day, McDonald's sold 200 hamburgers. On the same day, Burger King sold 800 hamburgers. McDonald's sold what percent FEWER hamburgers than Burger King?


I say the answer is 75%. My friend says 300%. The difference comes in because we are both subtracting 800 - 200 to get 600, but I am dividing 600 by 800 to get my percent and he is dividing 600 by 200 to get his percent. What is the correct number to divide by?


I also contend that since Burger King sells 300% more hamburgers than McDonald’s, you can't just say it's a 300% decrease going the other way, i.e., you can't just say McDonald's sells 300% less than Burger King.


Which one of us is right?


Thank your for your time in helping me out!

1 Expert Answer

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Teague B. answered • 09/21/19

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You are both wrong. McDonalds sold 200 Burgers

Burger King sold 800 Burgers

The questions asks: "McDonald's sold what percent FEWER donuts than Burger King?


One of the most common cause of mistakes on math problems is not reading and answering the question.


Good luck.

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Richie E.

Thanks for pointing that out. That was an error typing it in. I have fixed donuts to be hamburgers.
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09/21/19

Teague B.

The questions asks: "McDonald's sold what percent FEWER burgers than Burger King? In that case, divide how many less McDonald's sold than Burger King by how many Burger King sold and you will get the correct answer. 600/800 = .75 or 75% To prove this you may multiply .75 times 800 and you get how many less McDonald's sold than Burger King. 300% times anything gives you nothing useful
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09/21/19

Richie E.

Thank you for the explanation! It really helps to see when you plug it back in at the end.
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09/21/19

Teague B.

Glad I could help.
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09/21/19

David W.

tutor
Tell your friend that it's impossible to have anything more than 100% less of something. 300% of 800 hamburgers is 2400 hamburgers. Yes, BK sold 300% more hamburgers than McD's (600/200), but, as you said, that does not go both ways.
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09/22/19

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