In a cost problem, once you have added the percent that the price has increased to 100%, you convert

In a cost problem, once you have added the percent that the price has increased to 100%, you convert

• A. that percent to a decimal
• B. that percent to a fraction
• C. that decimal to a percent
• D. that percent to a ratio

Answer: (A)

Converting a percent to a decimal lets you use multiplication to scale the price. After you add the increase to 100%, you have the total percentage of the original price that will determine the new price. Turn that percentage into a decimal by dividing by 100. For example, 120% becomes 1.20, and you multiply the original price by 1.20 to get the new price. A fraction form like 6/5 would work, since 120% equals 6/5, but decimals are usually simplest for direct multiplication. Using a ratio isn’t needed here because you want a concrete multiplicative factor to apply to the price.

Converting a percent to a decimal lets you use multiplication to scale the price. After you add the increase to 100%, you have the total percentage of the original price that will determine the new price. Turn that percentage into a decimal by dividing by 100. For example, 120% becomes 1.20, and you multiply the original price by 1.20 to get the new price. A fraction form like 6/5 would work, since 120% equals 6/5, but decimals are usually simplest for direct multiplication. Using a ratio isn’t needed here because you want a concrete multiplicative factor to apply to the price.