What Percent Of 72 Is 18

What Percent of 72 is 18? A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding the percentage one number represents of another is a common mathematical task with applications in various fields, from calculating discounts to determining test scores. This article will guide you through calculating what percent of 72 is 18, offering a clear explanation and providing a formula you can use for similar problems. Understanding this concept will improve your skills in percentages and ratios.

Understanding the Problem

The question "What percent of 72 is 18?" essentially asks us to find the percentage value that, when multiplied by 72, equals 18. We can solve this using a simple formula.

The Formula

The basic formula to calculate percentage is:

(Part / Whole) * 100 = Percentage

In our problem:

• Part: 18 (the smaller number)
• Whole: 72 (the larger number)

Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Substitute the values into the formula:

   (18 / 72) * 100 = Percentage

2. Perform the division:

   0.25 * 100 = Percentage

3. Perform the multiplication:

   25 = Percentage

Therefore, 18 is 25% of 72.

Alternative Method: Using Proportions

Another way to solve this type of problem involves setting up a proportion:

18/72 = x/100

Where 'x' represents the unknown percentage. To solve for x, cross-multiply:

18 * 100 = 72 * x

1800 = 72x

x = 1800 / 72

x = 25

This again confirms that 18 is 25% of 72.

Practical Applications and Further Exploration

Understanding percentage calculations is crucial in many real-world scenarios. For example:

• Discounts: Calculating the price after a percentage discount.
• Sales tax: Determining the final price including sales tax.
• Grade calculations: Figuring out your percentage grade on a test.
• Financial analysis: Analyzing profit margins and other financial metrics.

By mastering this fundamental concept, you'll enhance your problem-solving skills and improve your ability to tackle a wider range of percentage-related questions. Try practicing with different numbers to further solidify your understanding of percentages and their applications. You can even explore more complex percentage problems involving increases and decreases. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any mathematical concept.