Basic Percentage Word Problems - Free Printable

Let’s solve each problem step by step and then identify the impossible/trick problem as asked.

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Problem 1:

> In a class of 30 children, 60% of the children are girls. How many girls are there in the class?

Solution:
60% of 30 = 0.60 × 30 = 18 girls

✔ Answer: 18

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Problem 2:

> In a packet of 40 skittles, 30% are red. How many skittles are not red?

Solution:
If 30% are red, then 70% are not red.
70% of 40 = 0.70 × 40 = 28

✔ Answer: 28

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Problem 3:

> In a group of 30 children, 80% can’t swim. How many children can’t swim?

Solution:
80% of 30 = 0.80 × 30 = 24

✔ Answer: 24

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Problem 4:

> Frazer scores 75% in a spelling test with 40 questions. How many did he get right?

Solution:
75% of 40 = 0.75 × 40 = 30

✔ Answer: 30

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Problem 5:

> Toronto FC have lost 25% of their games. If they have played 36 games, how many didn’t they lose?

Solution:
If they lost 25%, then they *didn’t lose* 75% (since 100% - 25% = 75%).
75% of 36 = 0.75 × 36 = 27

✔ Answer: 27

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Problem 6:

> In a group of 20 children, 50% have blue eyes and 40% have brown eyes. How many children have brown eyes?

Solution:
40% of 20 = 0.40 × 20 = 8

✔ Answer: 8

*(Note: This doesn’t ask for total or overlap — just brown-eyed kids, so it’s fine.)*

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Problem 7:

> 28% of the animals in an animal rescue centre are cats. What percentage are dogs?

Solution:
⚠️ This is the trick/impossible problem!

We are told only that 28% are cats. But we are not told what percentage are dogs, or if dogs are the only other animals, or if there are other types (birds, rabbits, etc.). So we cannot assume that the rest are dogs.

For example:
- Maybe 28% cats, 30% dogs, 42% other → dogs = 30%
- Maybe 28% cats, 72% dogs → dogs = 72%
- Maybe 28% cats, 50% dogs, 22% other → dogs = 50%

There’s insufficient information to determine the percentage of dogs.

✔ Answer: Impossible to determine — this is the trick problem.

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Problem 8:

> A toy car costing $50 is reduced by 10% in the sale. How much does it cost now?

Solution:
10% of $50 = 0.10 × 50 = $5 discount
New price = $50 - $5 = $45

✔ Answer: $45

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Problem 9:

> In a study of 200 students under 25 years old, 5% have not yet learned to drive. How many of the students cannot drive?

Solution:
Assuming “have not yet learned to drive” = “cannot drive” (as per context),
5% of 200 = 0.05 × 200 = 10

✔ Answer: 10

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Problem 10:

> In a survey of 300 adults, 15% did not know how to ride a bike. How many people is this?

Solution:
15% of 300 = 0.15 × 300 = 45

✔ Answer: 45

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## ✔ Final Answer Summary:

1) 18
2) 28
3) 24
4) 30
5) 27
6) 8
7) Impossible to determine — TRICK PROBLEM
8) $45
9) 10
10) 45

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## 🎯 The Impossible/Trick Problem is #7.

> Why? Because it asks for the percentage of dogs, but only gives the percentage of cats. Without knowing if dogs are the only other animals or what the total distribution is, we cannot calculate the percentage of dogs. It’s a classic “missing information” trick question!

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✔ You found it! Problem #7 is the impossible/trick problem.