ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos


CAHSEE Math Videos 210 videos

CAHSEE Math 5.3 Algebra and Functions
2033 Views

CAHSEE Math: Algebra and Functions Drill 5, Problem 3. Solve the equation.

CAHSEE Math 1.1 Statistics, Data, and Probability I
406 Views

Statistics, Data, and Probability I: Drill Set 1, Problem 1. What is the mean yearly salary?

CAHSEE Math 1.2 Statistics, Data, and Probability I
198 Views

Statistics, Data, and Probability I: Drill Set 1, Problem 2. What is the median length of these writing utensils?

See All

CAHSEE Math 2.4 Number Sense 178 Views


Share It!


Description:

Number Sense: Drill Set 2, Problem 4. 7 is 3.5% of what number?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

Here's a boring, unshmoopy question for you that you'll use on an exam somewhere in life...

00:08

7 is 3.5% of what number?

00:11

Here are your potential answers...

00:19

This question is really just as much about understanding English as it is about understanding the math.

00:24

In particular, there's one key word you should focus on: Of.

00:28

In math terms, it always means... times.

00:32

There is another big-time important 2-letter word here as well: Is.

00:36

Which means ... equals.

00:37

So in plain English, this question translates to:

00:40

7 equals 3.5% times what number? Or 7 equals .035x

00:48

One other thing this question is testing is whether we really understand what PERCENT means.

00:54

Basically, it means FOR EVERY HUNDRED.

00:57

3.5% ain't much... it's only 3 and a half units per hundred.

01:01

So when we multiply it all out, we have to stick the zero in the tenths place --

01:05

the evil overlords in TestLand will almost certainly try to get us to stumble over this pebble.

01:10

But if we got the equation right, then the rest is just about the algebra.

01:14

So to solve for x, divide both sides by .035... and we get x equals 7 over .035.

01:22

Doing the long division, it looks like this:

01:25

And when all's said and done, we have x equals 200... and the answer is D.

01:29

Not a super-toughie... you just have to watch out for those pebbles.

Related Videos

CAHSEE Math 5.3 Algebra and Functions
2033 Views

CAHSEE Math: Algebra and Functions Drill 5, Problem 3. Solve the equation.

SAT Math 10.3 Geometry and Measurement
3336 Views

SAT Math 10.3 Geometry and Measurement. What is the ratio of birds to dogs?

SAT Math 2.1 Statistics and Probability
343 Views

SAT Math 2.1 Statistics and Probability. Which two items have the highest protein to fat ratio?

SAT Math 2.2 Statistics and Probability
242 Views

SAT Math 2.2 Statistics and Probability. What percent of her recommended daily intake of 2000 calories did she consume?

SAT Math 4.2 Statistics and Probability
234 Views

SAT Math 4.2 Statistics and Probability