Question

What is the key difference between a percent and a unit rate?

A) A percent is a rate in which the first term is compared to a whole, while a unit rate is a rate in which the first term is compared to a part.
B) A percent is a rate in which the first term is compared to a part, while a unit rate is a rate in which the first term is compared to a whole.
C) A percent is a rate in which the first term is compared to a fraction, while a unit rate is a rate in which the first term is compared to a whole.
D) A percent is a rate in which the first term is compared to a whole, while a unit rate is a rate in which the first term is compared to a percentage.

Answer 1

The difference between a percent and a unit rate is that a percent is compared to 100, whereas a unit rate has one term normalized to 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key difference between a percent and a unit rate is that a percent is a ratio in which the first term (the numerator) is compared to a whole, which is typically 100, while a unit rate is a comparison of two measurements where one term is normalized to the value of 1. Specifically, answer choice D is incorrect as it suggests the unit rate is compared to a percentage, and answer choice A correctly describes the distinction. Therefore, A percent is expressed as a part of 100, such as 25% meaning 25 out of 100, while a unit rate could be something like 55 miles per hour, implying 55 miles for every 1 hour.