Question

Translate to an equation and solve. Of the world's 6.9 billion people, about 1.4 billion live without electricity. What percent of the world's population live without electricity? (Source: World Energy Outlook, \(2010 .\) )

Short answer

Answer: Approximately 20.29%

Step-by-step solution

Write the equation

To find the percentage, we will use the formula: Percentage = (Part/Whole) x 100 In this case, the part is the number of people living without electricity (1.4 billion) and the whole is the total population (6.9 billion). So, the equation to solve is: Percentage = (1.4/6.9) x 100

Calculate the fraction

We will now calculate the fraction (1.4/6.9) to get a decimal value: Fraction = 1.4/6.9 = 0.2029 (rounded to 4 decimal places)

Convert the fraction to a percentage

Multiply the fraction by 100 to convert it into a percentage value: Percentage = 0.2029 * 100 = 20.29%

Interpret the result

Approximately 20.29% of the world's population live without electricity, according to the source in 2010.

Key concepts

Understanding Population Percentages

When discussing percentages, especially in demographics, it’s crucial to grasp what you are measuring. Imagine the entire world divided into a massive pie, representing a total population of 6.9 billion people. The slice of this pie without access to electricity, however, is smaller, consisting of 1.4 billion people. Calculating the percentage of population segments, requires understanding the relationship between the part and the whole. Here, the one slice of the pie (people without electricity) is compared to the entire pie (the world population). By using the equation \( \text{Percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Whole}} \right) \times 100 \), we can determine the proportion of the population without electricity. This allows policymakers and researchers to quantify and visually communicate the extent of electricity deprivation, and make informed decisions for improvements. Understanding this concept is not only crucial in dealing with demographics but also other fields where percentage calculations indicate proportions, like economics, public health, and resource distribution.

Impact of Lacking Electricity

Electricity is a valuable resource that impacts various aspects of life including health, education, and economic development. For 1.4 billion people living without it, the challenges are substantial. Without electricity:

• Access to information and educational resources is severely limited.
• Healthcare services are hindered, affecting the ability to store medicines or perform medical procedures.
• Economic opportunities are decreased, limiting the capability for communities to develop or attract business investments.

In the larger picture, having access to electricity can bridge access to other essentials such as the internet. This is not just a matter of physical infrastructure, but also involves policy decisions, technological innovation, and community engagement. Therefore, understanding the proportion of the population without electricity can inform initiatives and investments aimed at improved infrastructure, thus boosting global development efforts.

Translating Real-world Data into Equations

The process of translating word problems into mathematical equations is a key skill in solving percentage problems, like determining how many people in the population live without electricity. Think of equations as a tool for converting words into numbers and operations that can be calculated. Here's how the process works:First, identify the relevant numbers and what they represent: - 1.4 billion people = part of the population without electricity - 6.9 billion people = total population Next, formulate the problem into the percentage equation: \[ \text{Percentage} = \left( \frac{1.4}{6.9} \right) \times 100 \] With the equation ready, the math simply becomes a task of substitution and calculation. This skill not only helps in academic pursuits but is crucial in real-life applications where complex information must be simplified for analysis and decision-making. Whether it's budgeting, planning, or scientific work, good equation translation skills are indispensable.