Question

Caitlin ate 20 pieces of candy on Monday andN 17 pieces on Tuesday. By what percent did she decrease her candy intake?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

100% = 20

1% = 100%/100 = 20/100 = 0.2

she reduced her candy intake by 3 candies.

how many % are 3 candies ?

well, as many % as 1% fits into 3 :

3 / 1% = 3/0.2 = 15%

so, she reduced it by 15%.

Answer 2

Answer: 15% decrease

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Work Shown:

a = old value = 20

b = new value = 17

c = change in values

c = b-a

c = 17-20

c = -3

The negative c value tells us that we have a percent decrease. If c was positive, then we'd have a percent increase.

Then divide that value of c over the starting value a = 20

c/a = -3/20 = -0.15

We have a percent decrease of 15%

Move the decimal point two spots to the right to go from 0.15 to 15.0% which simplifies to 15%

Or multiply 0.15 with 100% to get 0.15*100% = 15%

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Check:

If she reduces the original amount (20) by 15%, then she reduced it by 15% of 20 = 0.15*20 = 3 pieces.

This fits with the instructions since 20-3 = 17. Therefore, the answer is confirmed.