A student who sells subscriptions for a magazine that costs $35 a year makes a commission of $5.25 on each subscription. What percent commission does the student make?

Question

A student who sells subscriptions for a magazine that costs $35 a year makes a commission of $5.25  on each subscription.  What percent commission does the student make?

hero · Answer

So for each sell, the customer pays $35 and the student receives $5.25. So basically, out of $35, the student gets 5.25. So this can be represented by a fraction:

$$\frac{5.25}{35}$$

hero · Answer

Now let's set that equal to The percentage of 100 that we need to find:

$$\frac{5.25}{35} = \frac{\%}{100}$$

Since the percentage is unknown, replace it with x:

$$\frac{5.25}{35} = \frac{x}{100}$$

hero · Answer

Cross multiply and solve for x

anonymous · Answer

Okay thank you very much

hero · Answer

No, you can't get off that easy. You have to tell me what x equals. Then I give you a medal.

anonymous · Answer

Haha okay.

anonymous · Answer

Does x equal 15?

hero · Answer

Yes, and remember x = %, so what does that mean?

anonymous · Answer

x equals 15%

hero · Answer

Good job. By the way...

In general, when trying to figure out percentages, use the following formula:

$$\frac{\text{is}}{\text{of}} = \frac{\%}{100}$$

anonymous · Answer

Okay thank you for the tip it is greatly appreciated

hero · Answer

You should be able to find any percent now. 

What is 14% of 5?

anonymous · Answer

7%?

hero · Answer

Actually, I already gave you the percent in this problem. You have to find the number.

anonymous · Answer

0.7

hero · Answer

Yes, good, but I want to see how you set up the problem.

anonymous · Answer

x over 5 =14 over 100.  Then I crossed multiplied, in which I got 100x/70.  Then I divided that and so I got 0.7

hero · Answer

Yup, that is correct. YOU have figured it out.