Let’s solve each problem one by one. We’ll calculate carefully and look for any trick or impossible problem.
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Problem 1:
In a class of 30 children, 60% are girls. How many girls?
→ 60% of 30 = (60/100) × 30 = 0.6 × 30 =
18 girls
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Problem 2:
In a packet of 40 Skittles, 30% are red. How many are NOT red?
→ First, find how many ARE red: 30% of 40 = 0.3 × 40 = 12
→ Not red = 40 - 12 =
28
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Problem 3:
In a group of 30 children, 80% can’t swim. How many can’t swim?
→ 80% of 30 = 0.8 × 30 =
24
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Problem 4:
Frazer scores 75% on a test with 40 questions. How many did he get right?
→ 75% of 40 = 0.75 × 40 =
30
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Problem 5:
Toronto FC lost 25% of their games. They played 36 games. How many didn’t they lose?
→ Lost: 25% of 36 = 0.25 × 36 = 9
→ Didn’t lose = 36 - 9 =
27
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Problem 6:
In a group of 20 children, 50% have blue eyes and 40% have brown eyes. How many have brown eyes?
→ Brown eyes: 40% of 20 = 0.4 × 20 =
8
*(Note: 50% + 40% = 90%, so 10% might have other eye colors — but the question only asks for brown, which is fine.)*
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Problem 7:
28% of animals in a rescue center are cats. What percentage are dogs?
→ This is the TRICK PROBLEM!
We don’t know what other animals there are. Maybe there are birds, rabbits, etc. So we CANNOT say what percent are dogs unless told that ONLY cats and dogs exist.
→
Impossible to answer without more info.
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Problem 8:
A toy car costs $50, reduced by 10%. What’s the new price?
→ 10% of 50 = 0.10 × 50 = $5 discount
→ New price = 50 - 5 =
$45
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Problem 9:
In a study of 200 students under 25, 5% haven’t learned to drive. How many cannot drive?
→ 5% of 200 = 0.05 × 200 =
10
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Problem 10:
In a survey of 300 adults, 15% didn’t know how to ride a bike. How many people is this?
→ 15% of 300 = 0.15 × 300 =
45
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✔ The trick/impossible problem is
#7, because we’re not told that dogs are the only other animal — so we can’t assume the rest are dogs.
Final Answer:
The answers are:
1) 18
2) 28
3) 24
4) 30
5) 27
6) 8
7) Impossible — not enough information
8) $45
9) 10
10) 45
Trick problem: #7
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of math percentage problems.
