Calculate the Exact Percent: Discovering 25% of 86

Q: Why do I convert 25% to 0.25?

A percentage means "out of 100". So 25% = 25/100 = 0.25. Converting to decimal makes the multiplication easier: $0.25 \times 86$ instead of $\frac{25}{100} \times 86$.

Q: Can I use fractions instead of decimals?

Absolutely! 25% = $\frac{1}{4}$, so you can calculate $\frac{1}{4} \times 86 = \frac{86}{4} = 21.5$. Use whichever method feels more comfortable!

Q: How can I check if 21.5 is really 25% of 86?

Work backwards! Calculate $\frac{21.5}{86} \times 100$. If you get 25, your answer is correct. This confirms that 21.5 is indeed 25% of 86.

Q: Is there a shortcut for 25%?

Yes! Since 25% = $\frac{1}{4}$, you can simply divide by 4. So 25% of 86 = 86 ÷ 4 = 21.5. This works for any number!

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Calculate 25 percent of 86

00:04 To calculate a percentage, convert percentages to fractions

00:14 For example, 25 percent is equal to 25 over 100

00:25 Break down 100 into factors of 4 and 25

00:30 Simplify wherever possible

00:34 We observe that 25 percent is actually a quarter

00:37 Apply this formula to our problem, and multiply a quarter by 86

00:46 That's the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

1

Understand the problem

Calculate 25% of 86:

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the given information, which is 25% of 86.
Step 2: Convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100.
Step 3: Multiply this decimal by the whole number 86.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem gives us 25% of 86. Our task is to find what 25% of 86 is.
Step 2: Convert 25% to a decimal: $\frac{25}{100} = 0.25$ .
Step 3: Multiply this decimal by 86: $0.25 \times 86$ .

Performing the multiplication: $0.25 \times 86 = 21.5$ .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 21.5.

3

Final Answer

21.5

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Convert percentage to decimal by dividing by 100
Technique: Multiply decimal by whole number: $0.25 \times 86 = 21.5$
Check: Verify that 21.5 ÷ 86 × 100 = 25% ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Dividing instead of multiplying after converting to decimal
Don't divide 86 ÷ 0.25 = 344! This gives you how many 25%'s fit into 86, not what 25% of 86 equals. Always multiply the decimal by the whole number after converting the percentage.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Calculate 30 over 100 as a percentage:

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I convert 25% to 0.25?

+

A percentage means "out of 100". So 25% = 25/100 = 0.25. Converting to decimal makes the multiplication easier: $0.25 \times 86$ instead of $\frac{25}{100} \times 86$ .

Can I use fractions instead of decimals?

+

Absolutely! 25% = $\frac{1}{4}$ , so you can calculate $\frac{1}{4} \times 86 = \frac{86}{4} = 21.5$ . Use whichever method feels more comfortable!

What if my answer has decimals?

+

Decimal answers are perfectly normal for percentage problems! 25% of 86 = 21.5 is correct. Don't round unless the problem specifically asks you to.

How can I check if 21.5 is really 25% of 86?

+

Work backwards! Calculate $\frac{21.5}{86} \times 100$ . If you get 25, your answer is correct. This confirms that 21.5 is indeed 25% of 86.

Is there a shortcut for 25%?

+

Yes! Since 25% = $\frac{1}{4}$ , you can simply divide by 4. So 25% of 86 = 86 ÷ 4 = 21.5. This works for any number!

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Calculate the Exact Percent: Discovering 25% of 86

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