# Lesson 14

Solving Percentage Problems

Let’s solve more percentage problems.

### 14.1: Number Talk: Multiplication with Decimals

Find the products mentally.

$$6\boldcdot (0.8)\boldcdot 2$$

$$(4.5)\boldcdot (0.6)\boldcdot 4$$

### 14.2: Coupons

Han and Clare go shopping, and they each have a coupon. Answer each question and show your reasoning.

1. Han buys an item with a normal price of $15, and uses a 10% off coupon. How much does he save by using the coupon? 2. Clare buys an item with a normal price of$24, but saves \$6 by using a coupon. For what percentage off is this coupon?

Clare paid full price for an item. Han bought the same item for 80% of the full price. Clare said, “I can’t believe I paid 125% of what you paid, Han!” Is what she said true? Explain.

### 14.3: Info Gap: Music Devices

Your teacher will give you either a problem card or a data card. Do not show or read your card to your partner.

If your teacher gives you the problem card:

3. Explain how you are using the information to solve the problem.

Continue to ask questions until you have enough information to solve the problem.

4. Share the problem card and solve the problem independently.

If your teacher gives you the data card:

2. Ask your partner “What specific information do you need?” and wait for them to ask for information.

If your partner asks for information that is not on the card, do not do the calculations for them. Tell them you don’t have that information.

3. Before sharing the information, ask “Why do you need that information?” Listen to your partner’s reasoning and ask clarifying questions.

4. Read the problem card and solve the problem independently.

5. Share the data card and discuss your reasoning.

### Summary

A pot can hold 36 liters of water. What percentage of the pot is filled when it contains 9 liters of water?

Here are two different ways to solve this problem:

• Using a double number line:

We can divide the distance between 0 and 36 into four equal intervals, so 9 is $$\frac14$$ of 36, or 9 is 25% of 36.

• Using a table:

### Glossary Entries

• percent

The word percent means “for each 100.” The symbol for percent is %.

For example, a quarter is worth 25 cents, and a dollar is worth 100 cents. We can say that a quarter is worth 25% of a dollar.

• percentage

A percentage is a rate per 100.

For example, a fish tank can hold 36 liters. Right now there is 27 liters of water in the tank. The percentage of the tank that is full is 75%.