Question

The population of a certain town increased by 2% from 35,000. What was the population after the increase?

Answer 1

Let 100% equal the original population of 35,000. Since the population increased by 2%, then the new population is 100% + 2% or 102% of the original population.

When you see the word "of" in a word problem, think multiplication. So let's replace the word "of" with a times sign.

So we have 102% times 35,000.

Now let's change the percent sign to a decimal. We do that by moving the decimal point to the left two places.

In 102%, the decimal is to the right of the number two. It's invisible right now so let's make it visible. So we now have 102.%.

Moving the decimal point to the left gives us 1.02 and we get rid of that ugly % sign.

So now we have 1.02 times 35,000. Which should give us 35,700 as the new population.