If ⅘ of the population of a certain town is considered to be middle class and the population of the town is 2,000, how many people are considered middle class?

Answer 1

4/5 of population is middle class

population is 2000

There's a couple ways you can solve this actually, because 4/5 can be written several ways:

4/5 (given from the prompt)

80% (4/5 * 20/1 = 80/100 or 80%)

0.8 (4 / 5 = 0.8)

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METHOD A

4/5 * 2000/1

8000/5

=1600

METHOD B

80% * 2000 = 1600

METHOD C

0.8 * 2000 = 1600

I typically prefer the final method using the decimal if I'm using a calculator since I don't have to simplify any fractions at the end. If I can't use a calculator and the fraction isn't easy to translate (like 27/4) then I would use the first method. The second method only works with a calculator or with easy to calculate mental math, so I don't recommend relying on it often.

It's important to learn all the tools for your tool box - especially when you have to solve problems creatively. This is a critical life skill that will help you apply what you learn to real life.

Answer 2

2000 divided by 5 times 4 equals 1600

Answer 3

population is 2000

4/5 of population is middle class

translate of to times (*) and replace population with number

4/5 * 2000 are middle class

1600 are middle class