85 is 40% of what number?

x_______100%
85______40%

40*x = 8500

x = 850/4

x = 212.5

85 is 40% of 212.5

FCH.

the answer is 85*100/40 = 212.5

Turning a word problem into a math problem which can be done on your calculator -- always remember

leave numbers as they are
turn "is" into an equal sign
turn "what" into an "x" (or any other algebra letter)
turn "of" into a multiplication sign
percent signs mean you should put the number right in front of the % as a fraction with the number on top and 100 on the bottom

For example,
85 is 40% of what number -- becomes 85=40/100 (fraction) x (multiplication sign) "x" (or any other algebra letter of your choice.

multiply x times 40 for 40x over 100 = 85. Multiple both sides by 100 for 8500 = 40x. Divide both sides by 40 for 8500 divided by 40 equals x.

You use the calculator for the final answer.

Method 1
85 ÷ 40%
= 85 x 100/40
= 8500/40
= 212.5

Method 2
y x 40% = 85
40y/100 = 85
40y = 8500
y = 8500/40
y = 212.5

x(.4)=85

Divide both sides by .4, leaving x ( the variable in this equation) by itself.

You can do the math

The answer is 212.5. The eqation would be 85/x=40/100. Next step would be 8500=40x. You would then divide both sides by 40. The answer would be x=212.5

Divide 85 by 40%

136

40%<------>85
100%<--->100/40 x 85

= 5/2 x 85
= 425/2
= 212 ½

85 is 40% of 212 ½

Mathematics has some simple grammer rules for you to remember when writing a problem like this out as an equation to solve. "Is" means "equals," "of" means "times" (or "multiplied by") and "what number" is "the variable" (which is where you put your "x").

So "85 is 40% of what number?"
is 85 = 40% * x
is 85 = .40 * x

at this point you can divide both sides by .40 and find
85/.40 = x
850/4 = x

so x = 212.5

its 40 % of 85 =