Aimathic
Login | English | Deutsch

Grade 7 math worksheets

Build your own math worksheets from 35,000+ problems for grades 3 to 12, from fractions to AP Calculus. Every problem comes with step-by-step solutions.

Percent increase and decrease

Learning goals

  • Uses a multiplier for a percent increase or decrease.
  • Computes percent increase or decrease from an original value.
  • Distinguishes the amount of change from the new value.
  • Identifies the correct reference value for the percent change.
  • Checks a percent change using the starting and ending values.

Click problems to add them to your worksheet.

Percent increase and decrease 1
A \(\$60\) membership fee increases by \(10\%\). What is the dollar amount of the increase?

Hints

- The question asks only for the amount of the increase, not the new fee. - Use the original fee as the base amount. - Convert the percent to a decimal before multiplying.

Solution

1. Find \(10\%\) of the original \(\$60\) fee. 2. \(0.10\cdot60=6\). 3. The increase is \(\$6\).

Answer

\(\$6\)
Percent increase and decrease 2
The share of students choosing an option rises from \(30\%\) to \(35\%\). By how many percentage points did it rise?

Hints

- The question asks for percentage points, not a relative percent increase. - Compare the two stated percentages directly. - Subtract the earlier percentage from the later percentage.

Solution

1. A percentage-point change is the difference between the two percentages. 2. \(35-30=5\). 3. The increase is \(5\) percentage points.

Answer

\(5\) percentage points
Percent increase and decrease 3
A \(\$80\) activity fee decreases by \(25\%\). How many dollars is the decrease?

Hints

- The question asks for the amount of the decrease, not the new fee. - Find \(25\%\) of the original \(\$80\). - Check that the decrease is less than the original fee.

Solution

1. Convert \(25\%\) to \(0.25\). 2. Compute \(80\cdot0.25=20\).

Answer

The decrease is \(\$20\).
Percent increase and decrease 4
A movie ticket cost \(\$10\) last year. It costs \(\$12\) this year. What is the percent increase? Show which price you used as the base.

Hints

- Find how many dollars the ticket went up. - A percent change compares the change with the old price. - Express that comparison out of one hundred.

Solution

1. The increase is \(\$12-\$10=\$2\). 2. Compare the increase with the original \(\$10\): \(2\div10=0.20\). 3. The percent increase is \(20\%\).

Answer

\(20\%\) increase, because \((12-10)\div10=0.20\). The base is last year's \(\$10\) ticket.
Percent increase and decrease 5
A school garden had \(80\) flowers in spring and \(60\) in summer. By what percent did the number of flowers decrease? Which flower count should you divide by, and why?

Hints

- How many flowers were lost? - Which season gives the starting amount? - The decrease is a part of which whole?

Solution

1. There are \(80-60=20\) fewer flowers. 2. Relative to the original \(80\) flowers, the decrease is \(20\div80=0.25\). 3. The decrease is \(25\%\), using the original count as the reference.

Answer

A \(25\%\) decrease. There are \(20\) fewer flowers out of the original \(80\), so \(20\div80=25\%\). The new count is not the base.
Percent increase and decrease 6
In one year, the share of students who walk to school rose from \(20\%\) to \(30\%\). a) By how many percentage points did the share rise? b) By what percent did the share rise relative to its old value?

Hints

- Subtract the two percentages to find the change in percentage points. - For the relative change, compare that difference with the earlier percentage. - Do not use the two measures as though they mean the same thing.

Solution

1. The difference between the percentages is \(30-20=10\) percentage points. 2. Relative to the original \(20\%\), the increase is \(10\div20=0.5\), or \(50\%\).

Answer

a) \(10\) percentage points. b) \(50\%\) relative increase, because \(10\div20=0.5\).
Percent increase and decrease 7
The number of volunteers grew from \(80\) to \(100\). Two students calculated the percent increase: Mara: \(20\div80\) Ben: \(20\div100\) Who chose the correct calculation? Find the percent increase and explain why that denominator is correct.

Hints

- Both students agree on the increase in volunteers. - The disagreement is about the starting amount. - Turn the correct fraction into a percent.

Solution

1. The increase is \(100-80=20\) volunteers. 2. The original number was \(80\), so Mara used the correct denominator. 3. The percent increase is \(\frac{20}{80}\cdot100\%=25\%\).

Answer

Mara is correct. Percent increase uses the original \(80\) volunteers as the base. The increase is \(25\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 8
A skateboard has an original price of \(\$120\). Find the new price in each case. a) The price is decreased by \(15\%\). b) The price is increased by \(5\%\). c) The price is reduced to \(80\%\) of the original price.

Hints

- Decide what percent of the original remains after each change. - Distinguish between decreasing by \(15\%\) and reducing to \(80\%\).

Solution

1. a) After a \(15\%\) decrease, the price is \(85\%\) of the original: \(\$120 \cdot 0.85 = \$102\). 2. b) After a \(5\%\) increase, the price is \(105\%\) of the original: \(\$120 \cdot 1.05 = \$126\). 3. c) The new price is \(80\%\) of the original: \(\$120 \cdot 0.80 = \$96\).

Answer

a) \(\$102\) b) \(\$126\) c) \(\$96\)
Percent increase and decrease 9
A ticket to Willow Creek Community Pool cost \(\$4.00\) last year. This season, the price increased to \(\$5.00\). Find the new price as a percent of the old price. Then find the percent increase.

Hints

- Use the old price as the base value. - Divide the new price by the old price. - A price increase means the new price is more than \(100\%\) of the old price.

Solution

1. The ratio of the new price to the old price is \(\frac{\$5.00}{\$4.00} = 1.25\). 2. Therefore, the new price is \(125\%\) of the old price. 3. The percent increase is \(125\% - 100\% = 25\%\).

Answer

The new price is \(125\%\) of the old price, so the price increased by \(25\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 10
A small leak causes a rainwater tank to lose \(0.25\,\text{gal}\) of water per minute. After a partial repair, the leak rate decreases by \(60\%\). Find the new leak rate in gallons per minute.

Hints

- What percent of the original rate remains after a \(60\%\) decrease? - Find that percent of \(0.25\,\text{gal/min}\).

Solution

A decrease of \(60\%\) means \(40\%\) of the original rate remains. Therefore, \(0.25\,\text{gal/min} \cdot 0.40 = 0.10\,\text{gal/min}\).

Answer

The new leak rate is \(0.10\,\text{gal/min}\).
Percent increase and decrease 11
The Falcons and Comets are school clubs folding paper cranes for a fundraiser. The graph shows how many cranes each club folded on four days. On which days did the Comets fold exactly \(20\%\) more than the Falcons?
Figure for problem 534956

Hints

- Use the small grid lines to read values between the labeled amounts. - Compare the two clubs on the same day. - Which club's count is the starting amount for “\(20\%\) more”?

Solution

1. On Day \(1\), the Falcons folded \(50\) cranes and the Comets folded \(60\). Since \(50\cdot1.20=60\), the condition is met. 2. On Day \(2\), the Falcons folded \(100\) and the Comets \(110\), but \(100\cdot1.20=120\), so it is not met. 3. On Day \(3\), the Falcons folded \(150\) and the Comets \(180\), and \(150\cdot1.20=180\), so it is met. 4. On Day \(4\), the Falcons folded \(200\) and the Comets \(210\), but \(200\cdot1.20=240\), so it is not met.

Answer

Days \(1\) and \(3\); the Comets' counts of \(60\) and \(180\) are each \(1.2\) times the Falcons' matching counts.
Percent increase and decrease 12
A school garden counted \(200\) tomatoes on Monday, \(230\) on Tuesday, and \(207\) on Wednesday. a) Find the percent change from Monday to Tuesday. b) Find the percent change from Tuesday to Wednesday. c) Explain why the two percent changes do not cancel.

Hints

- Treat each consecutive pair of days as its own change. - The earlier day in each pair supplies the base. - Compare Wednesday's count with Monday's to check whether the changes cancel.

Solution

1. From Monday to Tuesday the increase is \(230-200=30\), and \(30\div200=15\%\). 2. From Tuesday to Wednesday the decrease is \(230-207=23\), and \(23\div230=10\%\). 3. The second change uses \(230\) as its base, not \(200\). The final number is \(7\) more than the original.

Answer

a) \(15\%\) increase. b) \(10\%\) decrease. c) They use different original amounts: \(200\) first, then \(230\). The final \(207\) is still \(7\) higher than \(200\).
Percent increase and decrease 13
After a \(25\%\) increase, the price of a concert ticket is \(\$75\). What was the original price? Explain why subtracting \(25\%\) of \(\$75\) would not give the correct answer.

Hints

- The new price includes both the original amount and the increase. - What percent of the original is the final price? - Work backward using that multiplier.

Solution

1. The new price is \(125\%\) of the original. 2. Divide by \(1.25\): \(75\div1.25=60\). 3. Subtracting \(25\%\) of the new price uses the wrong base; the increase was calculated from the original price.

Answer

\(\$60\). The new \(\$75\) is \(125\%\) of the original, so \(75\div1.25=60\). Subtracting a percent of \(\$75\) uses the wrong base.
Percent increase and decrease 14
Two teams in a school quiz league improved their weekly scores. The Falcons improved from \(12\) points to \(15\) points. The Owls improved from \(20\) points to \(24\) points. Which team made the larger percentage improvement, and which gained more points? Show both comparisons.

Hints

- Find the point increase for each team first. - Compare each increase with its own old score. - A larger point increase does not always mean a larger percent increase.

Solution

1. The Falcons gained \(15-12=3\) points; their percentage increase is \(3\div12=25\%\). 2. The Owls gained \(24-20=4\) points; their percentage increase is \(4\div20=20\%\). 3. The Falcons have the larger percentage improvement, but the Owls gained more points.

Answer

The Falcons improved more by percent: \(25\%\) versus the Owls' \(20\%\). The Owls gained more points: \(4\) versus the Falcons' \(3\).
Percent increase and decrease 15
Last month, \(30\) of \(50\) students in an art club were seventh graders. This month, \(36\) of \(60\) students are seventh graders. The number of seventh graders increased. Did their share of the club increase, decrease, or stay the same? Use percentages to explain.

Hints

- A share compares one group with the whole club. - The club's total changed too. - Calculate each month's share before deciding how it changed.

Solution

1. Last month's share was \(30\div50=0.60=60\%\). 2. This month's share is \(36\div60=0.60=60\%\). 3. The number increased, but the share stayed the same because the club also grew.

Answer

The share stayed at \(60\%\): \(30\div50=60\%\) and \(36\div60=60\%\). More seventh graders does not mean a greater percentage of the club.
Percent increase and decrease 16
Linda chooses a number. She increases it by \(10\%\), then increases the new result by \(20\%\), and finally increases that result by \(50\%\). By what percent has the original number increased?

Hints

- Successive percent increases are each applied to a new value, so the percents should not simply be added. - Try starting with \(100\) and applying the increases one at a time. - Write each percent increase as a decimal multiplier.

Solution

1. The multipliers for the three increases are \(1.10\), \(1.20\), and \(1.50\). 2. Multiply the factors: \(1.10 \cdot 1.20 \cdot 1.50 = 1.98\). 3. The final value is \(198\%\) of the original value, so the overall increase is \(198\% - 100\% = 98\%\).

Answer

\(98\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 17
Cedar Ridge Forest contains \(24{,}000\) trees. Find the number of trees after one year for each growth rate: \(0.25\%\), \(0.5\%\), \(0.75\%\), and \(k\%\).

Hints

- Work through the growth rates one at a time. - Find each increase as a percent of \(24{,}000\). - Add the increase to the original number of trees. - Use the same process for the variable rate and leave \(k\) in the expression.

Solution

1. At \(0.25\%\), the increase is \(24{,}000 \cdot 0.0025 = 60\), so the new total is \(24{,}060\). 2. At \(0.5\%\), the increase is \(24{,}000 \cdot 0.005 = 120\), so the new total is \(24{,}120\). 3. At \(0.75\%\), the increase is \(24{,}000 \cdot 0.0075 = 180\), so the new total is \(24{,}180\). 4. At \(k\%\), the increase is \(24{,}000 \cdot \frac{k}{100} = 240k\), so the new total is \(24{,}000 + 240k\).

Answer

At \(0.25\%\): \(24{,}060\) At \(0.5\%\): \(24{,}120\) At \(0.75\%\): \(24{,}180\) At \(k\%\): \(24{,}000 + 240k\)
Percent increase and decrease 18
Larkspur has a population of \(45{,}000\), and the population decreases during one year. Find the remaining population for each annual decrease rate: \(0.2\%\), \(0.5\%\), \(0.8\%\), and \(m\%\).

Hints

- Work with each decrease rate separately. - Find the portion of the population that is lost. - Subtract each loss from the original population. - Use the same method for the variable rate and leave \(m\) in the expression.

Solution

1. At a \(0.2\%\) decrease, the loss is \(45{,}000 \cdot 0.002 = 90\), so the remaining population is \(44{,}910\). 2. At a \(0.5\%\) decrease, the loss is \(45{,}000 \cdot 0.005 = 225\), so the remaining population is \(44{,}775\). 3. At a \(0.8\%\) decrease, the loss is \(45{,}000 \cdot 0.008 = 360\), so the remaining population is \(44{,}640\). 4. At an \(m\%\) decrease, the loss is \(45{,}000 \cdot \frac{m}{100} = 450m\), so the remaining population is \(45{,}000 - 450m\).

Answer

At a \(0.2\%\) decrease: \(44{,}910\) At a \(0.5\%\) decrease: \(44{,}775\) At a \(0.8\%\) decrease: \(44{,}640\) At an \(m\%\) decrease: \(45{,}000 - 450m\)
Percent increase and decrease 19
Because of high demand, the price of a mountain bike was increased by \(15\%\). The new price is \(\$414\). Find the original price. State the percent of the original price represented by the new price and the decimal multiplier you use.

Hints

- Determine what percent of the original price the new price represents. - Is the new price equal to, greater than, or less than \(100\%\) of the original? - To reverse a percent increase, divide by the decimal multiplier.

Solution

1. After a \(15\%\) increase, the new price is \(100\% + 15\% = 115\%\) of the original price. 2. The corresponding decimal multiplier is \(1.15\). 3. Divide the new price by the multiplier: \(\$414 \div 1.15 = \$360\).

Answer

The new price is \(115\%\) of the original price, so the multiplier is \(1.15\). The original price was \(\$360\).
Percent increase and decrease 20
Two classes are collecting donations for an animal shelter. Class A exceeded its fundraising goal by \(25\%\) and collected \(\$250\). Class B collected \(10\%\) less than its goal and collected \(\$225\). Which class originally had the greater fundraising goal? Find both original goals.

Hints

- Find two different original amounts. - For each class, determine what percent of the goal the collected amount represents. - An amount above the goal represents more than \(100\%\); an amount below the goal represents less than \(100\%\).

Solution

1. Class A collected \(125\%\) of its goal. Its goal was \(\$250 \div 1.25 = \$200\). 2. Class B collected \(90\%\) of its goal. Its goal was \(\$225 \div 0.90 = \$250\). 3. Since \(\$250 > \$200\), Class B had the greater original goal.

Answer

Class A's goal was \(\$200\). Class B's goal was \(\$250\). Class B had the greater fundraising goal.
Percent increase and decrease 21
At Redwood Middle School, the percent of students who ride bicycles to school increased from \(20\%\) last year to \(30\%\) this year. a) By how many percentage points did the percent increase? b) By what percent did the share of bicycle riders increase compared with last year?

Hints

- Distinguish between subtracting two percent values and finding a relative percent increase. - Use last year's percent as the base for part b). - Convert the ratio of the change to the original value into a percent.

Solution

1. The percentage-point increase is \(30\% - 20\% = 10\) percentage points. 2. The relative increase is based on the original \(20\%\): \(\frac{30 - 20}{20} = \frac{10}{20} = 0.5\). 3. Convert to a percent: \(0.5 = 50\%\).

Answer

a) \(10\) percentage points b) \(50\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 22
Northgate Sports Club has a constant total of \(200\) members. The percent of members who are teenagers increased from \(15\%\) to \(24\%\). a) Find the number of teenage members before and after the increase. b) Find the percent increase in the number of teenage members. c) Board member Tessa says, “The number of teenage members increased by \(9\%\).” Explain why this statement is mathematically imprecise and correct it.

Hints

- Use the total membership and each percent to find the corresponding number of teenagers. - For the relative increase, compare the change with the original number of teenagers. - Distinguish between percent and percentage points.

Solution

1. Before the increase, the number of teenage members was \(200 \cdot 0.15 = 30\). 2. After the increase, the number was \(200 \cdot 0.24 = 48\). 3. The number increased by \(48 - 30 = 18\). 4. Relative to the original \(30\) teenagers, the percent increase was \(\frac{18}{30} = 0.60 = 60\%\). 5. The membership share rose from \(15\%\) to \(24\%\), a change of \(9\) percentage points. The number of teenage members increased by \(60\%\), not \(9\%\).

Answer

a) Before: \(30\) teenagers; after: \(48\) teenagers b) \(60\%\) c) The share increased by \(9\) percentage points, while the number of teenage members increased by \(60\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 23
Two classes compare their results in a Math Kangaroo competition. Class A: The percent of students who earned recognition increased from \(10\%\) to \(20\%\). Class B: The percent of students who earned recognition increased from \(40\%\) to \(50\%\). In both classes, the rate increased by \(10\) percentage points. Which class had the greater relative increase? Support your answer with calculations.

Hints

- For each class, compare the increase with the starting percent. - Imagine each class has \(100\) students and compare the before-and-after counts. - The same percentage-point increase can represent different relative increases.

Solution

1. For Class A, the relative increase was \(\frac{20 - 10}{10} = \frac{10}{10} = 1 = 100\%\). 2. For Class B, the relative increase was \(\frac{50 - 40}{40} = \frac{10}{40} = 0.25 = 25\%\). 3. Since \(100\% > 25\%\), Class A had the greater relative increase. Its rate doubled, while Class B's rate increased by one-fourth of its original value.

Answer

Class A had the greater relative increase: \(100\%\), compared with \(25\%\) for Class B.
Percent increase and decrease 24
One square has side length \(20\,\text{cm}\). A second square has side length \(25\,\text{cm}\). a) By what percent is the second square's side length greater than the first square's side length? b) Find the area of each square. c) By what percent is the second square's area greater than the first square's area? Compare this result with your answer to part a).

Hints

- For each percent increase, use the first square's value as the base. - Recall the area formula for a square. - Compare the two percentage increases after calculating them.

Solution

1. The side-length increase is \(\frac{25-20}{20}=\frac{5}{20}=0.25=25\%\). 2. The areas are \(20\cdot20=400\,\text{cm}^2\) and \(25\cdot25=625\,\text{cm}^2\). 3. The area increase is \(\frac{625-400}{400}=\frac{225}{400}=0.5625=56.25\%\). 4. The area increases by a larger percentage than the side length: \(56.25\%>25\%\).

Answer

a) \(25\%\) b) \(400\,\text{cm}^2\) and \(625\,\text{cm}^2\) c) \(56.25\%\); this is greater than the \(25\%\) side-length increase.
Percent increase and decrease 25
A cube has an edge length of \(10\,\text{cm}\). A second cube has an edge length that is \(20\%\) greater. a) Find the edge length of the second cube. b) Find the volume of each cube. c) By what percent is the second cube's volume greater than the first cube's volume?

Hints

- Use a multiplier of \(1.20\) to find the new edge length. - Recall the formula for the volume of a cube. - Compare the change in volume with the original volume.

Solution

1. The second edge length is \(10\,\text{cm} \cdot 1.20 = 12\,\text{cm}\). 2. The volumes are \(V_1 = 10\,\text{cm} \cdot 10\,\text{cm} \cdot 10\,\text{cm} = 1000\,\text{cm}^3\) and \(V_2 = 12\,\text{cm} \cdot 12\,\text{cm} \cdot 12\,\text{cm} = 1728\,\text{cm}^3\). 3. The percent increase in volume is \(\frac{1728 - 1000}{1000} = \frac{728}{1000} = 0.728 = 72.8\%\).

Answer

a) \(12\,\text{cm}\) b) \(1000\,\text{cm}^3\) and \(1728\,\text{cm}^3\) c) \(72.8\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 26
Harbor Athletics Club grew from \(200\) members to \(224\) members. Pinecrest Sports Club grew from \(500\) members to \(555\) members. Which club had the greater percent increase? Support your answer with calculations.

Hints

- Comparing only the numbers of new members is not enough. - For each club, compare the increase with that club's starting membership. - Compare the two percent increases.

Solution

1. Harbor Athletics Club added \(224 - 200 = 24\) members. 2. Its percent increase was \(\frac{24}{200} = 0.12 = 12\%\). 3. Pinecrest Sports Club added \(555 - 500 = 55\) members. 4. Its percent increase was \(\frac{55}{500} = 0.11 = 11\%\). 5. Since \(12\% > 11\%\), Harbor Athletics Club had the greater percent increase.

Answer

Harbor Athletics Club had the greater percent increase: \(12\%\), compared with \(11\%\) for Pinecrest Sports Club.
Percent increase and decrease 27
Riverton currently has \(15{,}000\) residents. Its population grows by \(2\%\) each year. a) What will the population be after one year? b) By how many people will the population increase during the second year? Remember that the second year's \(2\%\) growth is based on the population at the end of the first year.

Hints

- Find the first-year increase and add it to the starting population. - Use the first-year result as the base for the second-year calculation. - The number of people added is not exactly the same each year.

Solution

1. The first-year increase is \(15{,}000 \cdot 0.02 = 300\). 2. After one year, the population is \(15{,}000 + 300 = 15{,}300\). 3. The second-year increase is \(15{,}300 \cdot 0.02 = 306\).

Answer

a) \(15{,}300\) residents b) \(306\) people
Percent increase and decrease 28
A full rain barrel holds \(50\) gallons of water. 1. First, \(30\%\) of the water is used for tomato plants. 2. Then \(20\%\) of the remaining water is used for flower boxes. How many gallons remain? What percent of the original amount is this?

Hints

- Find the amount remaining after the first use. - The second percent is based on the remaining amount, not on the full barrel. - Compare the final amount with the original \(50\) gallons.

Solution

1. The first amount used is \(50\,\text{gal} \cdot 0.30 = 15\,\text{gal}\), leaving \(50 - 15 = 35\,\text{gal}\). 2. The second amount used is \(35\,\text{gal} \cdot 0.20 = 7\,\text{gal}\). 3. The final amount is \(35 - 7 = 28\,\text{gal}\). 4. As a percent of the original amount, \(\frac{28}{50} = 0.56 = 56\%\).

Answer

\(28\) gallons remain, which is \(56\%\) of the original amount.
Percent increase and decrease 29
The Miller family reduced its water use by installing water-saving showerheads. Last year, the family used an average of \(12{,}000\) gallons of water per month. This year, the monthly average decreased to \(10{,}500\) gallons. Find the percent decrease. First identify the original amount and calculate the amount of water saved.

Hints

- Use the amount before the change as the original value. - Subtract to find the number of gallons saved. - Compare the savings with the original monthly use.

Solution

1. The original amount is \(12{,}000\) gallons. 2. The amount saved is \(12{,}000 - 10{,}500 = 1500\) gallons. 3. The percent decrease is \(\frac{1500}{12000} = \frac{1}{8} = 0.125 = 12.5\%\).

Answer

The original amount was \(12{,}000\) gallons, and the family saved \(1500\) gallons per month. The water use decreased by \(12.5\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 30
A water tank has a capacity of \(500\) gallons. At the beginning of a rainy period, it is \(20\%\) full. After the rain, it is \(35\%\) full. a) By how many percentage points did the fill level increase? b) How many gallons of water were added? c) By what percent did the actual amount of water in the tank increase compared with the starting amount?

Hints

- Distinguish between the percent of the tank's capacity and the number of gallons in the tank. - A change in percentage points is found by subtracting the two fill percentages. - For part c), use the starting amount of water as the base.

Solution

1. The fill level increased by \(35 - 20 = 15\) percentage points. 2. At first, the tank held \(500\,\text{gal} \cdot 0.20 = 100\,\text{gal}\). After the rain, it held \(500\,\text{gal} \cdot 0.35 = 175\,\text{gal}\). 3. The amount added was \(175 - 100 = 75\,\text{gal}\). 4. Relative to the starting amount, the percent increase was \(\frac{75}{100} = 0.75 = 75\%\).

Answer

a) \(15\) percentage points b) \(75\) gallons c) \(75\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 31
The Weber and Schmidt families live in the same apartment building. After an \(8\%\) rent increase, the Weber family now pays \(\$918.00\) per month. Because of construction noise, the Schmidt family received a temporary \(10\%\) rent reduction and now pays \(\$837.00\) per month. Which family had the higher monthly rent before these changes? Support your answer with calculations.

Hints

- Find each family's original rent separately. - One new amount reflects an increase, while the other reflects a decrease. - Compare the two original amounts after reversing the changes.

Solution

1. The Weber family's new rent is \(108\%\) of the original rent. Their original rent was \(\$918.00 \div 1.08 = \$850.00\). 2. The Schmidt family's reduced rent is \(90\%\) of the original rent. Their original rent was \(\$837.00 \div 0.90 = \$930.00\). 3. Since \(\$930.00 > \$850.00\), the Schmidt family had the higher rent before the changes.

Answer

The Schmidt family had the higher original monthly rent: \(\$930.00\), compared with \(\$850.00\) for the Weber family.
Percent increase and decrease 32
An electronic device loses \(24\%\) of its value during the first year after purchase. At the end of the year, it is worth \(\$418\). a) What was the original purchase price? b) What would the device have been worth after one year if it had lost only \(15\%\) of its value?

Hints

- Identify the original value in this situation. - After a percent loss, subtract that percent from \(100\%\) to find the percent that remains. - Find the original price before answering part b).

Solution

1. After a \(24\%\) loss, \(100\% - 24\% = 76\%\) of the original value remains. 2. The original price was \(\$418 \div 0.76 = \$550\). 3. With a \(15\%\) loss, \(85\%\) of the original value would remain. 4. The hypothetical value would be \(\$550 \cdot 0.85 = \$467.50\).

Answer

a) \(\$550\) b) \(\$467.50\)
Percent increase and decrease 33
Rice gains mass while cooking because it absorbs water. A \(4\,\text{oz}\) portion of uncooked rice becomes \(12\,\text{oz}\) of cooked rice. The uncooked portion contains \(9\,\text{g}\) of protein. a) How many grams of protein are in \(4\,\text{oz}\) of the cooked rice? b) By what percent did the amount of protein per \(4\,\text{oz}\) decrease during cooking? c) Explain why the protein per \(4\,\text{oz}\) decreases even though no protein is lost during cooking.

Hints

- Track the total amount of protein in the portion being cooked. - Compare the cooked mass with the original mass. - Use the change from \(9\,\text{g}\) to the new amount to find the percent decrease.

Solution

1. The original \(9\,\text{g}\) of protein remains in the full \(12\,\text{oz}\) of cooked rice. 2. Since \(4\,\text{oz}\) is one-third of \(12\,\text{oz}\), the protein in \(4\,\text{oz}\) of cooked rice is \(9\,\text{g} \div 3 = 3\,\text{g}\). 3. The decrease is \(9 - 3 = 6\,\text{g}\). Relative to the original \(9\,\text{g}\), the percent decrease is \(\frac{6}{9} = \frac{2}{3} \approx 66.7\%\). 4. The protein amount stays the same, but the rice gains water and mass, so the protein is spread through a larger total mass.

Answer

a) \(3\,\text{g}\) b) Approximately \(66.7\%\) c) Water increases the rice's mass, so the same protein is distributed through more cooked rice.
Percent increase and decrease 34
A \(4\,\text{oz}\) portion of uncooked spaghetti contains \(12\,\text{g}\) of protein. Assume no protein is lost during cooking. After cooking, \(4\,\text{oz}\) of the spaghetti contains \(4.8\,\text{g}\) of protein. a) What is the mass of the cooked spaghetti made from the \(4\,\text{oz}\) uncooked portion? b) By what percent did the spaghetti's mass increase during cooking?

Hints

- The total \(12\,\text{g}\) of protein remains after cooking. - Use the protein amount per \(4\,\text{oz}\) of cooked spaghetti to find the total cooked mass. - For the percent increase, compare the increase in mass with the original mass.

Solution

1. The cooked spaghetti still contains a total of \(12\,\text{g}\) of protein. 2. Since \(4\,\text{oz}\) of cooked spaghetti contains \(4.8\,\text{g}\) of protein, the cooked mass containing \(12\,\text{g}\) is \(\frac{12}{4.8} \cdot 4\,\text{oz} = 10\,\text{oz}\). 3. The mass increase is \(10 - 4 = 6\,\text{oz}\). 4. Relative to the original \(4\,\text{oz}\), the percent increase is \(\frac{6}{4} = 1.5 = 150\%\).

Answer

a) \(10\,\text{oz}\) b) \(150\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 35
Linh is training for a 2-mile race and records a best time each week. <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Week</th> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> <td>5</td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <th>Best time (min:sec)</th> <td>\(12{:}40\)</td> <td>\(12{:}15\)</td> <td>\(12{:}20\)</td> <td>\(11{:}50\)</td> <td>\(11{:}35\)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> a) Between which two consecutive weeks did Linh have the greatest improvement? Give the improvement in seconds. b) Find the total improvement from Week 1 to Week 5 in seconds. c) By what percent did the time improve from Week 1 to Week 5? Use the Week 1 time as the base and round to the nearest tenth of a percent.

Hints

- Convert all times to seconds before comparing them. - A faster time is a smaller time. - For the percent improvement, use the Week 1 time as the base.

Solution

1. Convert each time to seconds: Week 1: \(12 \cdot 60 + 40 = 760\,\text{s}\) Week 2: \(12 \cdot 60 + 15 = 735\,\text{s}\) Week 3: \(12 \cdot 60 + 20 = 740\,\text{s}\) Week 4: \(11 \cdot 60 + 50 = 710\,\text{s}\) Week 5: \(11 \cdot 60 + 35 = 695\,\text{s}\) 2. The consecutive changes are an improvement of \(25\,\text{s}\), a slowdown of \(5\,\text{s}\), an improvement of \(30\,\text{s}\), and an improvement of \(15\,\text{s}\). The greatest improvement was from Week 3 to Week 4. 3. The total improvement was \(760 - 695 = 65\,\text{s}\). 4. The percent improvement was \(\frac{65}{760} \cdot 100\% \approx 8.6\%\).

Answer

a) Week 3 to Week 4; \(30\) seconds b) \(65\) seconds c) Approximately \(8.6\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 36
Each side of a square lot is reduced by \(15\%\). By what percent does the area of the lot decrease?

Hints

- What multiplier represents a \(15\%\) decrease? - How does that multiplier affect the square of the side length? - Express the new area as a percent of the original area.

Solution

1. Let the original side length be \(s\), so the original area is \(s^2\). 2. Reducing the side length by \(15\%\) multiplies it by \(1 - 0.15 = 0.85\). 3. The new area is \((0.85s)^2 = 0.7225s^2\), which is \(72.25\%\) of the original area. 4. Therefore, the area decreases by \(100\% - 72.25\% = 27.75\%\).

Answer

The area decreases by \(27.75\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 37
A square poster is \(8\,\text{inches}\) wide. Its area is increased by \(125\%\) to make a larger square poster. The printer offers these choices for how much to increase each side length: \(25\%\), \(50\%\), or \(75\%\). Which choice gives the required area? Show your calculations.

Hints

- What area does an increase of \(125\%\) represent compared with the original area? - Find the side length produced by each offered percent increase. - Compare the resulting areas with the target area.

Solution

1. The original area is \(8\cdot8=64\,\text{in}^2\). An increase of \(125\%\) gives a target area of \(64\cdot2.25=144\,\text{in}^2\). 2. At a \(25\%\) side increase, the new side is \(10\,\text{in}\) and area is \(100\,\text{in}^2\). 3. At \(50\%\), the new side is \(12\,\text{in}\), and \(12\cdot12=144\,\text{in}^2\). 4. At \(75\%\), the new side is \(14\,\text{in}\) and area is \(196\,\text{in}^2\). Only the \(50\%\) choice matches the target.

Answer

Increase each side by \(50\%\). That gives a \(12\,\text{in}\) side and \(144\,\text{in}^2\) area, compared with the original \(64\,\text{in}^2\). The increase is \(\frac{144-64}{64}=125\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 38
A square sheet of metal has side length \(a\). a) Explain mathematically how the area changes when the side length is doubled. b) The side length is increased by \(20\%\). By what percent does the area increase? c) Omar says, “If the side length decreases by \(20\%\), the area also decreases by \(20\%\).” Evaluate and correct Omar's claim.

Hints

- Compare the original side length with the changed side length before considering area. - Area depends on two equal side lengths, so the same change affects both dimensions. - For the decrease, compare the new area with the original area rather than comparing side lengths alone.

Solution

1. The original area is \(A=a^2\). Doubling the side gives \((2a)^2=4a^2\), so the area is multiplied by \(4\). 2. Increasing the side length by \(20\%\) gives a side-length factor of \(1.2\). The area factor is \(1.2^2=1.44\), so the area increases by \(44\%\). 3. Decreasing the side length by \(20\%\) gives a side-length factor of \(0.8\). The area factor is \(0.8^2=0.64\), so the area decreases by \(36\%\), not \(20\%\).

Answer

a) The area is multiplied by \(4\). b) The area increases by \(44\%\). c) Omar's claim is false. A \(20\%\) decrease in side length produces a \(36\%\) decrease in area.
Percent increase and decrease 39
Increasing a square's side length by \(20\%\) increases its area by \(44\%\). Naomi claims, “If you double the side-length increase to \(40\%\), the area increase will also double to \(88\%\).” Is Naomi correct? Calculate the new area increase and explain.

Hints

- Which multiplier corresponds to a \(40\%\) increase in one side? - How does that multiplier affect an area that uses both side lengths? - Compare the new area with the original before judging Naomi's claim.

Solution

1. Increasing each side length by \(40\%\) multiplies the length by \(1.4\). 2. Both dimensions change, so the area is multiplied by \(1.4\cdot1.4=1.96\). 3. The new area is \(196\%\) of the original, an increase of \(96\%\). 4. Naomi is incorrect: \(96\%\ne88\%\). Doubling a side-length percentage does not double the corresponding area increase.

Answer

No. The area is multiplied by \(1.4^2=1.96\), giving a \(96\%\) increase, not \(88\%\), because both side lengths change.
Percent increase and decrease 40
Determine whether each statement is true or false. Correct each false statement. a) \(0.2\%\) is equal to \(\frac{1}{5}\). b) \(\frac{2}{3}\) is less than \(67\%\). c) An increase of \(150\%\) means the new value is \(1.5\) times the original value. d) One-fourth of \(20\%\) is \(5\%\).

Hints

- Pay close attention to the difference between increasing a value by a percent and changing it to a given percent of the original. - Convert percents to decimals by dividing by \(100\). - Write \(\frac{2}{3}\) as a percent before comparing it with \(67\%\). - For d), find one-fourth of the number \(20\).

Solution

1. For a), \(0.2\% = \frac{0.2}{100} = \frac{2}{1000} = \frac{1}{500}\), while \(\frac{1}{5} = 0.2 = 20\%\). The statement is false. 2. For b), \(\frac{2}{3} = 66.\overline{6}\% \approx 66.67\%\). Since \(66.\overline{6}\% < 67\%\), the statement is true. 3. For c), an increase of \(150\%\) gives \(100\% + 150\% = 250\%\) of the original value, or \(2.5\) times the original. The statement is false. A new value equal to \(150\%\) of the original would be \(1.5\) times the original. 4. For d), \(\frac{1}{4} \cdot 20\% = 5\%\), so the statement is true.

Answer

a) False. \(0.2\% = \frac{1}{500}\); equivalently, \(20\% = \frac{1}{5}\). b) True. c) False. An increase of \(150\%\) produces a value that is \(2.5\) times the original. d) True.
Percent increase and decrease 41
A square has side length \(20\,\text{cm}\). One side length is increased by \(25\%\), while the perpendicular side length is decreased by \(25\%\), creating a rectangle. a) Find the area of the original square and the new rectangle. b) By what percent did the area change overall?

Hints

- Use the area formulas for a square and a rectangle. - Apply the increase and decrease to the original side length. - Compare the change in area with the original area.

Solution

1. The square's area is \(20\,\text{cm} \cdot 20\,\text{cm} = 400\,\text{cm}^2\). 2. The new side lengths are \(20\,\text{cm} \cdot 1.25 = 25\,\text{cm}\) and \(20\,\text{cm} \cdot 0.75 = 15\,\text{cm}\). 3. The rectangle's area is \(25\,\text{cm} \cdot 15\,\text{cm} = 375\,\text{cm}^2\). 4. The area decreased by \(400 - 375 = 25\,\text{cm}^2\). 5. The percent decrease is \(\frac{25}{400} = 0.0625 = 6.25\%\).

Answer

a) Square: \(400\,\text{cm}^2\); rectangle: \(375\,\text{cm}^2\) b) A decrease of \(6.25\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 42
A square has a perimeter of \(48\,\text{cm}\). Each side length is increased by \(50\%\). a) By what percent does the perimeter increase? b) By what percent does the area increase?

Hints

- Find the original side length from the perimeter. - Perimeter depends directly on side length, while area depends on the product of two side lengths. - Compare each new measurement with its original value.

Solution

1. The original side length is \(48\,\text{cm} \div 4 = 12\,\text{cm}\). 2. The original area is \(12\,\text{cm} \cdot 12\,\text{cm} = 144\,\text{cm}^2\). 3. The new side length is \(12\,\text{cm} \cdot 1.50 = 18\,\text{cm}\). 4. The new perimeter is \(4 \cdot 18\,\text{cm} = 72\,\text{cm}\). Its percent increase is \(\frac{72 - 48}{48} = \frac{24}{48} = 0.5 = 50\%\). 5. The new area is \(18\,\text{cm} \cdot 18\,\text{cm} = 324\,\text{cm}^2\). Its percent increase is \(\frac{324 - 144}{144} = \frac{180}{144} = 1.25 = 125\%\).

Answer

a) \(50\%\) b) \(125\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 43
Fairview tracked the share of electric vehicles among new car registrations. The share was \(8\%\) in 2022 and \(14\%\) in 2023. a) Find the increase in percentage points. b) By what percent did the electric-vehicle share increase compared with 2022? c) Briefly explain the difference between your answers to parts a) and b).

Hints

- Subtract the two percent values for part a). - For part b), compare the change with the starting value of \(8\%\). - A percentage-point change and a relative percent change answer different questions.

Solution

1. The percentage-point increase is \(14\% - 8\% = 6\) percentage points. 2. The relative increase is based on the original \(8\%\): \(\frac{14 - 8}{8} = \frac{6}{8} = 0.75 = 75\%\). 3. Percentage points measure the direct difference between two percent values. A percent increase compares that difference with the original percent.

Answer

a) \(6\) percentage points b) \(75\%\) c) The percentage-point change is the direct difference, while the percent increase is relative to the original \(8\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 44
LoopRide changes its car-sharing pricing plan. The same fixed charge previously covered \(50\) miles but now covers only \(40\) miles. a) By what percent did the distance available for the fixed charge decrease? b) By what percent did the effective price per mile increase?

Hints

- For part a), use the original distance as the base. - For part b), compare the old and new price per mile. - You may use any convenient fixed charge because it cancels in the comparison.

Solution

1. The available distance decreased by \(50 - 40 = 10\) miles. 2. Relative to the original \(50\) miles, the decrease was \(\frac{10}{50} = 0.20 = 20\%\). 3. Let the fixed charge be \(F\). The old price per mile was \(\frac{F}{50}\), and the new price per mile is \(\frac{F}{40}\). 4. The ratio of the new unit price to the old unit price is \(\frac{F/40}{F/50} = \frac{50}{40} = 1.25\), so the price per mile increased by \(25\%\).

Answer

a) A decrease of \(20\%\) b) An increase of \(25\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 45
An apartment's monthly rent is adjusted over two years. It increases by \(5\%\) in the first year and then increases by another \(2\%\) in the second year. By what percent has the rent increased overall compared with the original rent?

Hints

- Apply the two increases one after the other. - Write each percent increase as a decimal multiplier. - Convert the combined multiplier back to an overall percent increase.

Solution

1. The multipliers for the two increases are \(1.05\) and \(1.02\). 2. The combined multiplier is \(1.05 \cdot 1.02 = 1.071\). 3. The final rent is \(107.1\%\) of the original rent, so the overall increase is \(107.1\% - 100\% = 7.1\%\).

Answer

The rent increased by \(7.1\%\) overall.
Percent increase and decrease 46
A square poster has side length \(s\). It is redesigned as a rectangle whose length is \(10\%\) greater than \(s\) and whose width is \(20\%\) less than \(s\). 1) Write expressions for the new length \(l\) and width \(w\) in terms of \(s\). 2) Write and simplify an expression for the perimeter \(P\) of the new poster. 3) Compare the new perimeter with the perimeter of the original square. By what percent did the perimeter change?

Hints

- Convert each percent change to a multiplier. - Use the rectangle perimeter formula \(P=2(l+w)\). - The original square has perimeter \(4s\). - Divide the amount of change by the original perimeter to find the percent change.

Solution

1. Increasing \(s\) by \(10\%\) gives \(l=1.10s\). Decreasing \(s\) by \(20\%\) gives \(w=0.80s\). 2. The new perimeter is \(P=2(l+w)=2(1.10s+0.80s)=2(1.90s)=3.80s\). 3. The original perimeter is \(4s\). The decrease is \(4s-3.80s=0.20s\). 4. The percent decrease is \(\frac{0.20s}{4s}\cdot100\%=5\%\).

Answer

1) \(l=1.10s\); \(w=0.80s\) 2) \(P=3.80s\) 3) The perimeter decreased by \(5\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 47
North Valley Energy District tracks annual electricity generation from wind power. The table shows the generation in gigawatt-hours (\(\text{GWh}\)) for selected years. <table> <tr><td>Year</td><td>2016</td><td>2019</td><td>2022</td></tr> <tr><td>Electricity generation in \(\text{GWh}\)</td><td>\(80.0\)</td><td>\(104.0\)</td><td>\(145.6\)</td></tr> </table> a) Find the percent increase in electricity generation from 2016 to 2019. b) Find the percent increase from 2019 to 2022. c) How many times as large was the 2022 generation as the 2016 generation?

Hints

- For each percent increase, use the value at the beginning of that interval as the base. - Compare the change with the starting value. - To find how many times as large the final value is, divide the final value by the initial value.

Solution

1. From 2016 to 2019, the increase was \(104.0 - 80.0 = 24.0\,\text{GWh}\). The percent increase was \(\frac{24.0}{80.0} = 0.30 = 30\%\). 2. From 2019 to 2022, the increase was \(145.6 - 104.0 = 41.6\,\text{GWh}\). The percent increase was \(\frac{41.6}{104.0} = 0.40 = 40\%\). 3. The overall factor was \(\frac{145.6}{80.0} = 1.82\). Therefore, the 2022 generation was \(1.82\) times the 2016 generation.

Answer

a) \(30\%\) b) \(40\%\) c) \(1.82\) times as large
Percent increase and decrease 48
Westport Sports Club has \(120\) members. The number of adults is \(40\%\) greater than the number of children. How many children and how many adults belong to the club?

Hints

- Which group is the base for the phrase “\(40\%\) greater”? - If the number of children is \(100\%\), what percent represents the number of adults? - Write an equation in which the number of children is the unknown.

Solution

1. Let \(x\) be the number of children. 2. Since the number of adults is \(40\%\) greater, the number of adults is \(x + 0.40x = 1.40x\). 3. The total gives \(x + 1.40x = 120\), so \(2.40x = 120\). 4. Solve for \(x\): \(x = \frac{120}{2.40} = 50\). 5. The number of adults is \(120 - 50 = 70\).

Answer

Westport Sports Club has \(50\) children and \(70\) adults.
Percent increase and decrease 49
The number of solar-panel systems in Oak Haven increased by \(35\%\) last year. Oak Haven now has \(1026\) systems. a) How many systems were there before the increase? b) How many systems were added during the year?

Hints

- What percent of the previous number does the current number represent? - After finding the previous number, subtract it from the current number. - You can also find the increase directly from the original number and \(35\%\).

Solution

1. The current number is \(100\% + 35\% = 135\%\) of the previous number. 2. Let \(x\) be the previous number. Then \(1.35x = 1026\). 3. Solve: \(x = 1026 \div 1.35 = 760\). 4. The number added was \(1026 - 760 = 266\).

Answer

a) \(760\) systems b) \(266\) systems
Percent increase and decrease 50
A mountain bike originally cost \(\$400\). After one year, its price increased by \(10\%\). The following year, the price increased again, reaching \(\$462\). By what percent did the price increase during the second year, based on the price after the first year?

Hints

- First find the price after the \(10\%\) increase. - Use that new price as the whole for the second increase. - Find how many dollars the price increased during the second year. - Compare that increase with the price after the first year.

Solution

1. After the first increase, the price was \(\$400 \cdot 1.10 = \$440\). 2. The second increase was \(\$462 - \$440 = \$22\). 3. Relative to the \(\$440\) price after the first year, the percent increase was \(\frac{22}{440} \cdot 100\% = 5\%\).

Answer

The price increased by \(5\%\) during the second year.
Percent increase and decrease 51
Bread dough loses \(15\%\) of its weight during baking as water evaporates. Ana wants a loaf that weighs exactly \(34\,\text{oz}\) after baking. How much dough should Ana weigh before baking?

Hints

- What percent of the original weight remains after baking? - Express the baked weight as a percent of the starting weight. - The starting weight must be greater than the baked weight. - Reverse the percent decrease by dividing by the remaining-value multiplier.

Solution

1. After losing \(15\%\), the loaf retains \(100\% - 15\% = 85\%\) of its original weight. 2. Let \(x\) be the original dough weight. Then \(0.85x = 34\,\text{oz}\). 3. Solve: \(x = 34\,\text{oz} \div 0.85 = 40\,\text{oz}\).

Answer

Ana should weigh \(40\,\text{oz}\), or \(2.5\,\text{lb}\), of dough.
Percent increase and decrease 52
The school newspaper says **“Garden Club's Share of Fair Tickets Soars!”** The bar graph shows the percentage of all school-fair tickets sold by the Garden Club in three years. a) Read the percentages for \(2020\) and \(2022\). By how many percentage points did the club's share increase? b) Find the percent increase from \(2020\) to \(2022\). c) Does the headline tell the whole story? Explain using both of your answers.
Figure for problem 531828

Hints

- Read both relevant bar heights using the vertical axis. - Percentage-point change subtracts two percentage values. - Percent increase compares the change with its original amount. - Does the headline sound more like a comparison with the old share or a statement of the final share?

Solution

1. The graph shows \(5\%\) in \(2020\) and \(10\%\) in \(2022\). 2. The increase is \(10\%-5\%=5\) percentage points. 3. Relative to the original share, the increase is \(\frac{10-5}{5}\cdot100\%=100\%\). 4. The headline emphasizes the large relative change of \(100\%\), but the club's share of total fair tickets rose by only \(5\) percentage points, from \(5\%\) to \(10\%\).

Answer

a) \(2020\): \(5\%\); \(2022\): \(10\%\); increase: \(5\) percentage points. b) \(100\%\). c) The headline highlights the \(100\%\) increase compared with the old share. It leaves out that the club's share rose by \(5\) percentage points, from \(5\%\) to \(10\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 53
Two savings plans, \(A\) and \(B\), are shown on the graph over \(10\,\text{years}\). Each plan grows at a constant yearly rate. By what percent is Plan \(B\)'s yearly savings rate greater than Plan \(A\)'s?
Figure for problem 534955

Hints

- Read both plans at the same convenient year on the graph. - Think about how a change over several years can be expressed as a one-year rate. - When comparing the two rates, decide which rate is the reference value.

Solution

1. Plan \(A\) increases from \(\$0\) to \(\$1000\) in \(10\,\text{years}\), so its yearly savings rate is \(\$1000 \div 10=\$100\) per year. 2. Plan \(B\) increases from \(\$0\) to \(\$1250\) in \(10\,\text{years}\), so its yearly savings rate is \(\$1250 \div 10=\$125\) per year. 3. The percent increase from \(\$100\) to \(\$125\) is \(\frac{125-100}{100}\cdot100\%=25\%\).

Answer

Plan \(B\)'s yearly savings rate is \(25\%\) greater than Plan \(A\)'s.
Percent increase and decrease 54
The graph shows the percentage of households in Harbor City that have high-speed fiber internet. a) By how many percentage points did the share increase from \(2021\) to \(2024\)? b) Between which consecutive years was the increase in percentage points greatest? c) The Harbor City Gazette says, “The percentage of households with fiber internet increased to more than six times its \(2021\) level by \(2024\).” Determine whether this statement is correct and justify your answer using the graph.
Figure for problem 535105

Hints

- Read each year's share from the bars. - Percentage-point change is the difference between two percentage values. - Compare each neighboring pair, then check the newspaper's multiplier.

Solution

1. The total increase is \(65\%-10\%=55\) percentage points. 2. The yearly increases are \(25-10=15\), \(40-25=15\), and \(65-40=25\) percentage points. The last interval is greatest. 3. Six times the \(2021\) share is \(6\cdot10\%=60\%\). Because \(65\%>60\%\), the headline is correct.

Answer

a) \(55\) percentage points. b) From \(2023\) to \(2024\), by \(25\) percentage points. c) Yes. Six times \(10\%\) is \(60\%\), and the final share is \(65\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 55
The bar graph shows the percentage of Creston's household waste that was recycled each year from \(2018\) through \(2023\). a) By how many percentage points did the recycling rate increase over the entire period? b) Between which consecutive years was the increase greatest? How many percentage points was it? c) In which year did the recycling rate decrease from the previous year?
Figure for problem 535136

Hints

- How is a change in percentage points different from a percent change? - Which two years matter for the change across the entire period? - A tall bar does not tell you how much the rate changed from the previous year. What should you compare instead?

Solution

1. The overall increase was \(55\%-30\%=25\) percentage points. 2. Year-to-year changes were \(35-30=5\), \(32-35=-3\), \(42-32=10\), \(50-42=8\), and \(55-50=5\) percentage points. 3. The greatest increase was \(10\) percentage points from \(2020\) to \(2021\). 4. The only decrease was in \(2020\), from \(35\%\) to \(32\%\).

Answer

a) \(25\) percentage points. b) From \(2020\) to \(2021\), by \(10\) percentage points. c) \(2020\).
Percent increase and decrease 56
Taylor stores building bricks in a rectangular box. Taylor wants a new box that is \(10\%\) longer and \(20\%\) wider than the old box, with the same height. By what percent is the new box's volume greater than the old box's volume?

Hints

- Write the volume formula for a rectangular prism. - A \(10\%\) increase corresponds to a scale factor of \(1.10\). - Multiply the scale factors for the dimensions that change.

Solution

1. Let the old box have length \(L\), width \(W\), and height \(H\), so its volume is \(V=LWH\). 2. The new dimensions are \(1.1L\), \(1.2W\), and \(H\). 3. The new volume is \(V'=(1.1L)(1.2W)H=1.32LWH=1.32V\). 4. The increase is \(1.32V-V=0.32V\), which is \(32\%\) of the original volume.

Answer

The new box's volume is \(32\%\) greater.
Percent increase and decrease 57
A rectangular billboard is \(8\,\text{ft}\) wide and \(12\,\text{ft}\) high. Designer Noor compares two ways to enlarge it. Option 1: Increase only the width by \(50\%\). Option 2: Increase both the width and the height by \(25\%\). Determine which option produces the greater billboard area. For that option, find the percent increase in area compared with the original billboard.

Hints

- Find the original area first. - Calculate the new dimensions for each option. - Compare the two new areas. - When both dimensions change, both changes affect the area.

Solution

1. The original area is \(8\,\text{ft} \cdot 12\,\text{ft} = 96\,\text{ft}^2\). 2. For Option 1, the new width is \(8\,\text{ft} \cdot 1.50 = 12\,\text{ft}\). The new area is \(12\,\text{ft} \cdot 12\,\text{ft} = 144\,\text{ft}^2\). 3. For Option 2, the new dimensions are \(8\,\text{ft} \cdot 1.25 = 10\,\text{ft}\) and \(12\,\text{ft} \cdot 1.25 = 15\,\text{ft}\). The new area is \(10\,\text{ft} \cdot 15\,\text{ft} = 150\,\text{ft}^2\). 4. Option 2 produces the greater area. Its increase is \(150 - 96 = 54\,\text{ft}^2\), and \(\frac{54}{96} = 0.5625 = 56.25\%\).

Answer

Option 2 produces the greater area, \(150\,\text{ft}^2\). The area increases by \(56.25\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 58
Stonebridge recorded \(5000\) new car registrations in 2020. In 2021, the number decreased by \(8\%\). In 2022, the number then increased by \(12\%\) compared with 2021. a) Find the number of new registrations in 2021 and 2022. b) Find the overall percent change from 2020 to 2022. c) Explain why the overall change is not simply \(+4\%\), found by calculating \(12\% - 8\%\).

Hints

- Apply each year's percent change in order. - Identify the base value for each percent calculation. - Compare the 2022 value directly with the 2020 value.

Solution

1. In 2021, the number was \(5000 \cdot 0.92 = 4600\). 2. In 2022, the number was \(4600 \cdot 1.12 = 5152\). 3. The overall increase was \(5152 - 5000 = 152\). Relative to the 2020 value, \(\frac{152}{5000} = 0.0304 = 3.04\%\). 4. The \(12\%\) increase was applied to the reduced 2021 value, not to the original 2020 value. Therefore, the two percent changes cannot be combined by simple subtraction.

Answer

a) 2021: \(4600\); 2022: \(5152\) b) An increase of \(3.04\%\) c) The \(12\%\) increase uses the lower 2021 value as its base.
Percent increase and decrease 59
In Mapleton, the number of trees in Riverbend Park increases by \(20\%\) during the first year because of new plantings. During the next year, \(15\%\) of the trees then in the park must be removed because of drought. After the two years, the park has \(1224\) trees. a) How many trees were in the park originally? b) By what percent did the number of trees change overall compared with the original number?

Hints

- The second percent change is based on the number after the first change, not on the original number. - Represent the two changes with decimal multipliers and multiply them. - Explain why simply subtracting \(15\%\) from \(20\%\) does not give the correct overall change.

Solution

1. Let \(x\) be the original number of trees. After the first year, the number is \(1.20x\). After the second year, the number is \(1.20x \cdot 0.85\). 2. The combined multiplier is \(1.20 \cdot 0.85 = 1.02\). 3. Solve \(1.02x = 1224\): \(x = 1224 \div 1.02 = 1200\). 4. A multiplier of \(1.02\) means the final number is \(102\%\) of the original, so the overall change is a \(2\%\) increase.

Answer

a) \(1200\) trees b) An overall increase of \(2\%\)
Percent increase and decrease 60
Beef jerky is made by drying fresh beef. During drying, the beef loses \(60\%\) of its original mass as water evaporates. Assume no protein is lost. A \(4\,\text{oz}\) portion of fresh beef contains about \(22\,\text{g}\) of protein. a) About how many grams of protein are in \(4\,\text{oz}\) of the finished beef jerky under these assumptions? b) By what percent did the protein concentration, measured as protein per \(4\,\text{oz}\), change during drying? c) For comparison, assume dry pasta absorbs water when cooked, gains mass, and keeps the same total amount of protein. Why would protein per \(4\,\text{oz}\) increase for jerky but decrease for cooked pasta?

Hints

- Find the mass that remains after a \(60\%\) loss. - The protein remains while the water leaves. - Scale the approximate protein amount in the smaller jerky portion to a \(4\,\text{oz}\) portion. - Compare what happens to the amount of protein per unit of mass when water is removed versus added.

Solution

1. After losing \(60\%\) of its mass, the \(4\,\text{oz}\) portion becomes \(4\,\text{oz}\cdot0.40=1.6\,\text{oz}\) of jerky. 2. About \(22\,\text{g}\) of protein remains in the \(1.6\,\text{oz}\) of jerky. 3. Scale to \(4\,\text{oz}\): \(\frac{22\,\text{g}}{1.6\,\text{oz}}\cdot4\,\text{oz}\approx55\,\text{g}\). 4. The concentration is multiplied by \(4\div1.6=2.5\). Therefore, it becomes \(250\%\) of the original concentration, which is a \(150\%\) increase. 5. Jerky loses water, so the same protein is concentrated in less mass. Under the stated pasta assumption, added water spreads the same protein through more mass.

Answer

a) About \(55\,\text{g}\) b) An increase of \(150\%\) c) Jerky loses water and mass, concentrating the protein, while the stated pasta process adds water and mass without adding protein.
Percent increase and decrease 61
Two rectangles each have an area of \(120\,\text{cm}^2\). Rectangle A has side lengths \(10\,\text{cm}\) and \(12\,\text{cm}\). Rectangle B has side lengths \(8\,\text{cm}\) and \(15\,\text{cm}\). Both side lengths of each rectangle are increased by exactly \(2\,\text{cm}\). Does the area of each rectangle increase by the same percent? Support your answer with calculations.

Hints

- Add \(2\,\text{cm}\) to both dimensions of each rectangle. - Find each new area. - Compare each area increase with the original area of \(120\,\text{cm}^2\).

Solution

1. Rectangle A's new dimensions are \(12\,\text{cm}\) and \(14\,\text{cm}\), so its new area is \(12\,\text{cm} \cdot 14\,\text{cm} = 168\,\text{cm}^2\). 2. Its percent increase is \(\frac{168 - 120}{120} = \frac{48}{120} = 0.40 = 40\%\). 3. Rectangle B's new dimensions are \(10\,\text{cm}\) and \(17\,\text{cm}\), so its new area is \(10\,\text{cm} \cdot 17\,\text{cm} = 170\,\text{cm}^2\). 4. Its percent increase is \(\frac{170 - 120}{120} = \frac{50}{120} \approx 0.4167 = 41.67\%\). 5. Since \(41.67\% \ne 40\%\), the areas do not increase by the same percent.

Answer

No. Rectangle A's area increases by \(40\%\), while Rectangle B's area increases by approximately \(41.67\%\).
Percent increase and decrease 62
The bar graph shows monthly attendance at Brightwater Amusement Park from May through September. a) In which month was the greatest numerical increase in attendance from the previous month? b) In which month was the greatest percent increase from the previous month?
Figure for problem 535048

Hints

- Read the heights of the monthly bars in order. - Compare differences between consecutive months for the first question. - For each percent increase, divide the increase by the previous month's attendance. - The greatest number added need not be the greatest percent increase.

Solution

1. The graph shows May \(1000\), June \(2000\), July \(3500\), August \(5500\), and September \(8000\) visitors. 2. The numerical increases are \(1000\), \(1500\), \(2000\), and \(2500\); the largest occurred in September. 3. Relative to each preceding month, the increases are \(100\%\), \(75\%\), approximately \(57.1\%\), and approximately \(45.5\%\). 4. June had the greatest percent increase.

Answer

a) September, with \(2500\) more visitors than in August. b) June, with a \(100\%\) increase from May.
Percent increase and decrease 63
Two seventh-grade classes sold tickets for a school play. Ms. Rivera's class sold \(60\) tickets, and \(20\%\) were sold online. Mr. Chen's class sold \(40\) tickets, and \(50\%\) were sold online. a) What percent of all tickets from both classes were sold online? b) Jay says, “The two percentages are \(20\%\) and \(50\%\), so the combined percentage is their average, \(35\%\).” Explain why that does not work here.

Hints

- How many online tickets did each class sell? - Which total counts all the tickets from both classes? - Compare the total from part a) with Jay's method. Where do the calculations differ?

Solution

1. Ms. Rivera's class sold \(0.20\cdot60=12\) tickets online. 2. Mr. Chen's class sold \(0.50\cdot40=20\) tickets online. 3. Together they sold \(12+20=32\) online tickets out of \(60+40=100\) total tickets, or \(32\%\). 4. The classes sold different numbers of tickets. A plain average of their percentages gives them equal weight, so it is not the percent of all tickets.

Answer

a) \(32\%\), because \(12+20=32\) of the \(100\) tickets were sold online. b) Jay is incorrect. The classes sold \(60\) and \(40\) tickets, so their percentages cannot be averaged as though both classes sold the same number.

All problems may be used, copied and printed free of charge for school and tutoring, including paid tutoring. Commercial adaptations as well as publication or redistribution on the internet are not permitted.