Percent Word Problem Game

Percent Word Problem Quiz/Game
This game focuses on solving real-world percent problems, including discounts, tips, taxes, and finding missing values. Scroll down the page for a more detailed explanation.

 

 

How to Play the Math Masters Game

1. Look at the Problem: Read the problem carefully. Solve it and select one of the answers.
   
2. Check Your Work: If you selected the right answer, it will be highlighted in green. If you are wrong, it will be highlighted in red and the correct answer will be highlighted in green. A hint will be given to help you find the correct answer.
   
3. Get a New Problem: Click “Next Problem” for a new problem.
   Your score is tracked, showing how many you’ve gotten right.
   
4. Finish Game When you have completed 10 questions, your final score will be displayed.
    
   

Solving Percent Word Problems

1. The Core Formulas
   There are two common ways to set up these problems. Choose the one that feels more natural to you.
   The Proportion Method:
   \(\frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Whole}} = \frac{\text{Percent}}{100}\)
   This is great for visualizing the relationship as “part out of a total."
   
   The Equation Method:
   Part = Percent (as a decimal) × Whole
   This is often faster for calculations. To change a percent to a decimal, move the decimal point two places to the left (e.g., 25% = 0.25).
   
   
2. Identifying the Missing Piece
   To solve the problem, you first need to “translate” the words into numbers.
   Find the Part"What is 20% of 80?” ⇒ 0.20 × 80
   Find the Percent"15 is what percent of 60?" ⇒ (15 ÷ 60) × 100
   Find the Whole"12 is 30% of what number?" ⇒ 12 ÷ 0.30
   
   
3. Common Problem Types
   A. Discounts and Sales (Percent Decrease)
   The Scenario: A $50 sweater is 20% off.
   The Step: Find the discount first (0.20 × 50 = $10), then subtract it from the original (50 - 10 = $40).
   Shortcut: If it’s 20% off, you are paying for 80% of the item. Just do 0.80 × 50.
   
   B. Tax and Tips (Percent Increase)
   The Scenario: A meal costs $30 and you want to leave a 15% tip.
   The Step: Find the tip (0.15 × 30 = $4.50), then add it to the total (30 + 4.50 = $34.50).
   Shortcut: Multiply by 1.15 to get the total in one step (1.15 × 30 = $34.50).
   
   C. Percent Change
   The Scenario: A stock went from $20 to $25. What is the percent increase?
   The Formula: \(\frac{\text{New Amount} - \text{Original Amount}}{\text{Original Amount}} \times 100\)
   The Math: \(\frac{25 - 20}{20} = \frac{5}{20} = 0.25\), which is 25%.
   
   
4. Step-by-Step Strategy
   Read and Label: Find the Whole (often follows the word “of”), the Part (often follows the word “is”), and the Percent (look for the % sign).
   Convert: Change the percent to a decimal.
   Solve: Plug the numbers into your chosen formula.
   Check: Does the answer make sense? (e.g., if you are finding a 10% discount on $100, the answer should be smaller than $100).
    
   

This video gives a clear, step-by-step approach to explain how to solve percent word problems.

• Show Video

 

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