Calculate the Whole: When 64% Equals 5

Percent-to-Whole Calculations with Division

Calculate the whole if 64 percent is equal to 5:

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Determine the whole number
00:03 Apply the formula to convert percentages to fractions
00:09 This fraction is equal to 64%
00:17 Multiply the fraction by the whole number to obtain 5 according to the given data
00:26 Multiply by the reciprocal fraction to isolate the whole number
00:42 Simplify wherever possible
01:00 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Calculate the whole if 64 percent is equal to 5:

2

Step-by-step solution

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

  • Step 1: Convert the given percentage to a decimal.
  • Step 2: Use the formula to solve for the whole.
  • Step 3: Calculate and identify the correct option.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given percentage is 64%. To convert it to a decimal, we divide by 100: 64%=0.64 64\% = 0.64 .

Step 2: Use the formula for finding the whole:
Whole=PartPercentage as a decimal=50.64\text{Whole} = \frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Percentage as a decimal}} = \frac{5}{0.64}

Step 3: Perform the division:
50.64=7.8125 \frac{5}{0.64} = 7.8125

Therefore, rounding to two decimal places, the whole is 7.81 7.81 .

3

Final Answer

7.81

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Whole = Part ÷ Percentage as decimal
  • Technique: Convert 64% to 0.64, then calculate 5 ÷ 0.64
  • Check: Verify 64% of 7.81 equals 5: 0.64 × 7.81 = 5 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Multiplying instead of dividing by the percentage
    Don't multiply 5 × 0.64 = 3.2! This gives you 64% of 5, not the whole number that 5 represents 64% of. Always divide the part by the decimal percentage to find the whole.

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 divide by the percentage instead of multiplying?

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Think of it this way: if 64% of something equals 5, then that something must be larger than 5. Dividing gives you a larger number, while multiplying would give you a smaller one!

How do I convert a percentage to a decimal?

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Simply divide by 100 or move the decimal point two places left. For example: 64% = 64 ÷ 100 = 0.64

What if I get a long decimal answer?

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That's normal! Round to the number of decimal places shown in the answer choices. Here we got 7.8125, which rounds to 7.81 when rounded to two decimal places.

How can I check if my answer is correct?

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Multiply your answer by the original percentage: 7.81×0.64=5.0064 7.81 \times 0.64 = 5.0064 , which is very close to 5. The small difference is due to rounding!

Is there an easier way to remember this?

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Use this phrase: "To find the whole, divide the part by the percent (as a decimal)." So if 64% is 5, then the whole is 5 ÷ 0.64.

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