Question

Use a percent equation to solve the problem. 36 is 40% of what number?

Answer 1

36 ÷ 40
36 ÷ 0.4
90

36 is 40% of 90

Answer 2

36 is 40% of what number?

'is' indicates an equal sign

40% = 0.40

'of' indicates multiplication

'what number' indicates an unknown value we can represent with 'x'

36 = 0.40 * x

36 = 0.40x

Divide 0.40 to both sides:

x = 90