ACT Math : Arithmetic

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Percentage

Express the fraction  as a percentage.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Converting a fraction to a percentage can be done in two ways.  The first way involves recalling that a percent is just a fraction of 100 (per cent).  Therefore, the percent equivalent to  is the numerator of the equivalent fraction whose denominator is 100.  In order to convert  to a fraction over 100, I need to multiply the numerator and denominator each by 4.

Therefore, our answer is 28%.

 

The other approach is to convert the fraction to a decimal first by dividing 7 by 25.

To convert a decimal to a percent, just shift the decimal point two places to the right.

With this method, our answer is again 28%.

Example Question #1 : Fractions And Percentage

Convert to a percentage: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Despite the presence of a variable, the rule remains the same: To convert a fraction to a percentage, multiply the numerator by 100 and solve the fraction.

Example Question #11 : Percentage

A politician promises to spend a minimum of  of his budget on improving roads. What is the minimum percent of the budget that must be spent on roads to keep this promise?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find a percentage from a fraction, multiply the numerator by , then solve the fraction.

Thus, the politician must spend at least  of the budget on roads.

Example Question #1 : How To Find Percentage From A Fraction

Convert to a percentage: 

Round to the nearest integer.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can solve this problem either by adding the two fractions and then converting to a percentage, or by converting each fraction to a percentage before adding them. We'll use the first method in this case:

Now, just as before, multiply our numerator by  and solve the fraction:

 

Example Question #11 : Percentage

The girl's tennis team decided to do multiple fundraisers to raise enough to buy new equipment for next season. The following is a table of 4 of the fundraisers they did and the fraction of the total funds each raised.

Fundraiser

The last fundraiser they did earned them the final  they needed. What percent of the total funds raised did the last fundraiser raise?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

The question asks to find what percent the last fundraiser makes up of the total funds raised. The information that's given is how much that last fundraiser made and what fraction the other fundraisers made. 

This problem may be solved without the amount of money the last fundraiser raised. The reason is that we know that only 5 fundraisers were done. We're given what the fraction of the other fundraisers were. 

If we were to add all the fractions together, including the last fundraiser, the sum of all would equal 1. 

Fractions are another version of decimals but also another version of percentages. Percentages are essentially a prettier way of showing parts (or fractions) of a whole, which would be 100%. In the case of fractions, this is the same logic, which is why when all the fractions are summed, they equal 1. This 1 represents 100%. 
Upon using lowest common denominators, adding the fractions together, and solving for x, x is calculated to be 

We've almost obtained the final answer. Now it's just a matter of converting this fraction into a percent. As mentioned previously, fractions are another version of decimals. Think of decimals as being the middle conversion between fractions and percents. All that needs to be done to a decimal to turn it in to a percent is to multiply it by 100. For instance, .50 becomes 50%. Conversely, .50 is the same as  in fraction form. Therefore, one half is 50%. 
In order to solve for x in percent, the same conversion must be done. 

Example Question #12 : Percentage

Convert the following to a percentage.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert a fraction into a percentage, simply simplify the fraction into a decimal and multiply by 100.

Example Question #13 : Percentage

If a dress in a store originally costs , what does it cost (in dollars) after a  discount is applied?

Possible Answers:

$45

$63

$70

$28

$52

Correct answer:

$52

Explanation:

To find  of 80, . Next, subtract , for  as the final answer.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Part From The Whole With Percentage

If n% of 400 is 260, then what is 20% of n?

Possible Answers:

31

14

13

25

15

Correct answer:

13

Explanation:

n% of 400 is 260

A number as a percentage of a second number is equal to the first number divided by the second number, times 100%.

260 / 400 * 100% = .65 * 100% = 65%. n = 65.

20% of n?

20% of 65 is equal to 65 * 20 / 100 = 65 / 5 = 13.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Part From The Whole With Percentage

Auditions are being held for the annual school musical.  There are 18 roles available in the show.  If 75 students try out, what percentage of the students will get a role in the musical?

Possible Answers:

28%

22%

26%

30%

24%

Correct answer:

24%

Explanation:

Percentage is #roles / # students = 18 / 75 = 0.24 = 24%

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Part From The Whole With Percentage

You are making cookies and mixing the dry ingredients: flour, white sugar and brown sugar. If the recipe calls for 3 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of white sugar and 3/4 cup of brown sugar, what percentage of the recipe is white sugar?

Possible Answers:

20%

17.5%

11.1%

16.7%

10%

Correct answer:

11.1%

Explanation:

Total ingredients = 3 1/4 cups + 1/2 cup + 3/4 cup = 4 1/2 cups

White sugar percentage = white sugar / total = (1/2)/(9/2) = .111 = 11.1%

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