Basic Percentage Word Problems - Free Printable

Problem Analysis and Solution Explanation

The task involves solving percentage problems where the goal is to determine the complementary percentage (i.e., the percentage that makes up the remaining part of 100%). Let's go through each problem step by step.

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#### Problem 1:
- Question: In a class, 65% of the children are girls. What percentage are boys?
- Solution:
Since the total percentage must add up to 100%, the percentage of boys is:
\[
100\% - 65\% = 35\%
\]
- Answer: 35%

---

#### Problem 2:
- Question: In a packet of Skittles, 27% are red. What percentage are not red?
- Solution:
The percentage of Skittles that are not red is the complement of 27%:
\[
100\% - 27\% = 73\%
\]
- Answer: 73%

---

#### Problem 3:
- Question: In a group of children, 78% can swim. What percentage are non-swimmers?
- Solution:
The percentage of non-swimmers is the complement of 78%:
\[
100\% - 78\% = 22\%
\]
- Answer: 22%

---

#### Problem 4:
- Question: Frazer scores 43% in a spelling test. What percentage did he get wrong?
- Solution:
The percentage of questions Frazer got wrong is the complement of 43%:
\[
100\% - 43\% = 57\%
\]
- Answer: 57%

---

#### Problem 5:
- Question: Toronto FC have won 45% of their games and lost 42% of their games. What percentage have they tied?
- Solution:
The total percentage of games won and lost is:
\[
45\% + 42\% = 87\%
\]
The percentage of games tied is the complement of 87%:
\[
100\% - 87\% = 13\%
\]
- Answer: 13%

---

#### Problem 6:
- Question: Children had to pick their favorite sport from basketball, football, and hockey. 35% chose basketball and 28% chose hockey. What percentage chose football?
- Solution:
The total percentage of children who chose basketball and hockey is:
\[
35\% + 28\% = 63\%
\]
The percentage who chose football is the complement of 63%:
\[
100\% - 63\% = 37\%
\]
- Answer: 37%

---

#### Problem 7:
- Question: 38% of the animals in a dog and cat rescue center are cats. What percentage are dogs?
- Solution:
The percentage of dogs is the complement of 38%:
\[
100\% - 38\% = 62\%
\]
- Answer: 62%

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#### Problem 8:
- Question: In a math test, 35% of the children scored an average score. What percentage scored above average?
- Solution:
This question is impossible to answer with the given information because we do not know the distribution of scores below average or above average. We only know the percentage of children who scored "average," but we cannot determine how the remaining percentage is split between those who scored below average and those who scored above average.
- Answer: Impossible question

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#### Problem 9:
- Question: In a study of students under 25 years old, 12% have not yet learned to drive. What percentage can drive?
- Solution:
The percentage of students who can drive is the complement of 12%:
\[
100\% - 12\% = 88\%
\]
- Answer: 88%

---

#### Problem 10:
- Question: In a survey, 6% of adults did not know how to ride a bike. What percentage could ride?
- Solution:
The percentage of adults who could ride a bike is the complement of 6%:
\[
100\% - 6\% = 94\%
\]
- Answer: 94%

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Final Answers:

1. 35%
2. 73%
3. 22%
4. 57%
5. 13%
6. 37%
7. 62%
8. Impossible question
9. 88%
10. 94%

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{35\%, 73\%, 22\%, 57\%, 13\%, 37\%, 62\%, \text{Impossible question}, 88\%, 94\%}
\]