Noah's oven temperature gives a reading that is 2% greater than the actual temperature

Question

a. If the actual temperature is 325^oF, what will the thermometer reading be?

b.If the thermometer reading is 76^oF, what will the thermometer reading be?

Answer 1

When calculating percent higher, be sure to add the percentage to the original total. Also recall that percentage means per-cent or per 100.

Therefore,

2% = 2/100 = 0.02

a) Actual Temperature + 2% of Actual Temperature = Temperature Reading

2% of 325 = 325 * 0.02 = 6.5

so,

325 + 6.5 = 331.5

You can also do this calculation like so:

2% of 325 + 325 = 2% of 325 + 100% of 325

= 0.02*325 + 1.00*325

= 1.02 * 325

= 331.5

b) The reading on the oven is 76.

we know from earlier: Actual Temperature + 2% of Actual Temperature = Temperature Reading

and that,

1.02 * (Actual temperature) = 76

divide both sides by 1.02

Actual Temperature = 76/1.02 = 74.51