Monday, October 18th HOMEWORK

4) If 5% of a number is 8, what is 25% of the same number?

If you have 5% of a number, and you want to get 25% of the SAME NUMBER, you need to figure out what number multiplied by 5 turns into 25. You multiply whatever 5% is by that same number, and it will give you 25%.

So, 5 x 5 = 25.
Therefore, 5% of a number (8) x 5 = 25 % of the same number.
8 x 5 = 40
40 = 25 % of the same number.

So the answer is (A) 40.

I really liked this problem because it seemed more complicated than it actually was. At first glance I was like, "Okay, some number, percentages, the number eight...." But then I realized that the question was actually more complicated than the answer, which was just 8x5.

I just think it's really satisfying when you look at a question, and realize after a second that you can definitely do it, that's it's easily within your abilities. I just hope in a year or two, I'll be looking at the stuff I find confusing now with the same sentiment.

What I learned about problem solving is that sometimes the answer is more simple than you think. You don't always have to over-think or over-complicate things to find the answer. Don't jump to conclusions about problems until you've actually looked at it.