Basic Percentage Word Problems - Free Printable

Let’s go through each problem one by one, step by step. We’re dealing with percentages — remember, everything adds up to 100% unless told otherwise.

---

Problem 1:
In a class, 65% are girls. What % are boys?
→ Total = 100%
→ Boys = 100% - 65% = 35%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 2:
27% of Skittles are red. What % are not red?
→ Not red = 100% - 27% = 73%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 3:
78% can swim. What % are non-swimmers?
→ Non-swimmers = 100% - 78% = 22%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 4:
Frazer scored 43%. What % did he get wrong?
→ Wrong = 100% - 43% = 57%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 5:
Toronto FC won 45%, lost 42%. What % tied?
→ Tied = 100% - (45% + 42%) = 100% - 87% = 13%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 6:
Basketball: 35%, Hockey: 28%. What % chose football?
→ Football = 100% - (35% + 28%) = 100% - 63% = 37%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 7:
38% are cats. What % are dogs?
→ Dogs = 100% - 38% = 62%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 8:
35% scored average. What % scored above average?
→ This is tricky. “Average” doesn’t mean half are above and half below — it depends on the distribution. Also, we don’t know what % scored *below* average. So we can’t calculate “above average” from just this info.

The answer says “Impossible question” — that’s correct. You need more data.

---

Problem 9:
12% have NOT learned to drive. What % CAN drive?
→ Can drive = 100% - 12% = 88%

✔ Correct.

---

Problem 10:
6% did NOT know how to ride a bike. What % COULD ride?
→ Could ride = 100% - 6% = 94%

✔ Correct.

---

All answers in the sheet are correct except #8, which is correctly labeled as impossible.

Final Answer: All given answers are accurate; Problem 8 is correctly identified as an impossible question due to insufficient information.