In percentage-related problems, you may encounter situations where you are given a small percentage of a number and are asked to find out the original number. This is the case with the question “1/4 percent of a number is 25.” Let’s break this down and solve the problem.
What Does 1/4 Percent Mean?
When we say 1/4 percent, we are talking about a fraction of a percentage. To clarify:
- 1% = 1/100
- 1/4 percent = 1/4 of 1% = 1/4 * 1/100 = 1/400
So, 1/4 percent is equal to 1/400 of the total value.
Problem Breakdown:
We are asked to find the original number where 1/4 percent of it equals 25. This can be set up as:
Original Number×(1/400)=25
Steps to Solve:
Set up the equation:
Original Number/400=25
Multiply both sides by 400 to find the original number:
Original Number=25×400
Solve the equation:
Original Number=10,000
Thus, 10,000 is the original number, because 1/4 percent of 10,000 equals 25.
Explanation of the Calculation:
This type of problem involves reversing the typical percentage calculation. Normally, we would find a percentage of a number, but here we are given the result of the percentage and need to trace back to the original number.
In practical terms, knowing how to solve this helps in situations where small fractions of a larger whole are involved, such as calculating small interest percentages, commission rates, or even population data where percentages are fractional.
For similar percentage problems, check out our Percentage Calculator and make quick, accurate calculations!
Understanding how to work backward from a percentage can be a useful skill in a variety of scenarios, from financial planning to academic problem-solving.