1/2 % of what is 5?

Answer 1

Hi, Daniela! This question involves the subject of "modeling equations." I like to call that "translating words into numbers." So... let's rewrite this question as an algebraic equation:

1/2% of what is 5?

"of what" = x

"is" = "equals"

Also, we need to know how to convert percentages into either a decimal or a fraction. "Per" "cent" means "out of" "100" (think about "cent"ury equaling 100 years or a "cent" being 100th of a dollar).

To convert percentage to a decimal: divide the number in front of the % sign by 100.

1/2 = 0.5

0.5 / 100 = 0.005

note: the "move the decimal over two places trick" works here!

Going back to "1/2% of what is 5?"

1/2% = 0.005

"of what" = x

"is" = equals

So this can be written as 0.005x = 5

Divide both sides by 0.005... x = 1000

You can also work with fractions!

1/2% = 1/2 divided by 100

Note: To divide a fraction by 100, multiply the denominator by 100

1/2 / 100 = 1/200

(1/200)x = 5

multiply both sides by 200

x = 1000

Answer 2

1/2 % of x = 5

1/2(1%) x = 5

1% x = 10

0.01x = 10

x = 1000