Question

Write a proportion to find how many points x a student needs to score on a test worth 50 points to get a test score of 40%. One proportion is (x points )/(50 points )=(40)/(20)

Answer 1

To calculate the number of points needed to get a 40% on a 50-point test, set up the proportion (x points)/(50 points) = (40)/(100) and solve for x, resulting in 20 points.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking how to calculate the number of points x needed to score 40% on a test that is worth 50 points. To find this, we set up a proportion, which is a statement that two ratios are equivalent. From the question, one incorrect proportion is given as (x points)/(50 points) = (40)/(20), which is not correct. Instead, we should use the proportion (x points)/(50 points) = (40)/(100), because percentages are out of 100. To solve for x, we cross-multiply and divide as follows:

• x/50 = 40/100
• x * 100 = 40 * 50
• x = (40 * 50) / 100
• x = 2000 / 100
• x = 20 points

Therefore, the student needs to score 20 points out of 50 to achieve a test score of 40%.