Answer:
Yes, the students' reasoning is correct. The percent of a part compared to the whole is calculated by dividing the part by the whole and multiplying the result by 100. Since the part is much less than the whole, the result of the division will be a very small number, and when multiplied by 100, it will be an even smaller number, which is the percentage.
Explanation:
1. Divide the part by the whole to calculate the fraction that the part is of the whole.
2. Multiply the result by 100 to convert the fraction to a percentage.
3. Since the part is much less than the whole, the result of the division will be a very small number, and when multiplied by 100, it will be an even smaller number, which is the percentage.