Question

Which proportion can be used to find the percent error in Mallory's guess of her dog's weight, which she guessed as 60 pounds while the actual weight is 72 pounds?

A. (60/72) = (x/100)
B. (100/60) = (x/72)
C. (x/100) = (60/72)
D. (72/60) = (x/100)

Answer 1

The correct proportion is option D: (72/60) = (x/100), used to calculate Mallory's percent error in guessing her dog's weight.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct proportion to find the percent error in Mallory's guess of her dog's weight is option D. Percent error is calculated by subtracting the estimated amount from the actual value, dividing the difference by the actual value, and then multiplying by 100 to get the percentage. In this case, Mallory's guess is 60 pounds, and the actual weight is 72 pounds. The proportion should set up the difference between the guessed weight and the actual weight over the actual weight, equal to x (the percent error) over 100.

Thus we set up the proportion as follows:

• Absolute Error / Actual Value = Percent Error / 100
• (72 - 60) / 72 = x / 100
• 12 / 72 = x / 100

This simplifies to option D: (72/60) = (x/100), because you can arrange the equation as (Actual Value / Estimate) = (100 / Percent Error).