Question

Finley’s pumpkin had a mass of 6.5 kilograms (kg) before he carved it. After carving it, the pumpkin had a mass of 3.9 kg. What was the percent decrease in the mass of the pumpkin?

Answer 1

Percent decrease in the mass of the pumpkin is 40% .

Explanation:

Formula

`Percentage = (Change\ in\ value* 100)/(Initial\ value)`

Where change in value = |Final value - Initial value|

As given

Finley’s pumpkin had a mass of 6.5 kilograms (kg) before he carved it.

After carving it, the pumpkin had a mass of 3.9 kg.

Final value = 3.9 kg

Initial value = 6.5 kg

Where

Change in value = |3.9 - 6.5|

Change in value = |-2.6|

= 2.6

Putting all the values in the formula

`Percentage = (2.6* 100)/(6.5)`

`Percentage = (2600* 10)/(65* 10)`

`Percentage = (2600)/(65)`

= 40%

Therefore percent decrease in the mass of the pumpkin is 40% .

Answer 2

The percent decrease in the mass of the pumpkin for this case will be given by:
(100 - (3.9 / 6.5) * 100) =
(100-60) =
40%
After carving it, the pumpkin decreases a percent of 40% in the mass