Question

What number is \(2 \%\) of \(70 ?\) $$ \begin{array}{l} n=0.2 \cdot 70 \\ n=14 \end{array} $$

Short answer

Answer: 2% of 70 is 1.4.

Step-by-step solution

Convert the percentage to a decimal

To convert 2% to a decimal, we can divide it by 100: \(\frac{2}{100}=0.02\)

Multiply the decimal by the number

Now that we have the decimal (0.02), we can multiply it by 70 to find 2% of 70: \(0.02 \times 70 = n\)

Calculate the result

After multiplying the decimal by the number, we get \(0.02 \times 70 = 1.4\)

State the final answer

Thus, 2% of 70 is 1.4.

Key concepts

Percent to Decimal Conversion

Converting a percentage to a decimal is an important mathematical skill. This process lets us easily use percentages in calculations. To convert a percentage to a decimal:

• Divide the percentage by 100.
• This shifts the decimal point two places to the left.

For example, to convert 2% into a decimal, divide by 100: \[\frac{2}{100} = 0.02\]Now, you can use this decimal form in various calculations. Remember, converting correctly is the first step to finding percentage amounts!

Multiplication of Decimals

Once you have a decimal, you can multiply it with other numbers. This step is crucial for finding a percentage of a number. Here's how to handle decimal multiplication effectively:

• Align the numbers by the decimal point.
• Ignore the decimals temporarily and multiply as whole numbers.
• Count the total number of decimal places in both factors.
• Place the decimal in the answer to match the total number of decimal places counted.

For example, multiplying 0.02 by 70:

First, ignore the decimal places and multiply 2 by 70, getting 140. Since there are two decimal places in total (0.02 has two), adjust the product to 1.4. So, \(0.02 \times 70 = 1.4\). Practice helps you get used to placing the decimal point correctly.

Basic Arithmetic Operations

Basic arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Understanding these is fundamental to solving many math problems. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Addition combines numbers to find a total sum.
• Subtraction finds the difference between numbers.
• Multiplication computes the product of numbers.
• Division splits a number into equal parts.

For this exercise, multiplication is key. Multiplying decimals accurately is essential for finding percentages. With practice, you'll find using these operations becomes second nature. Always double-check your work to catch any errors early on.