Chapter 13

Word Problems with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

In This Chapter

arrow Adding and subtracting fractions, decimals, and percents in word equations

arrow Translating the word of as multiplication

arrow Changing percents to decimals in word problems

arrow Tackling business problems involving percent increase and decrease

In Chapter 6, I show you how to solve word problems (also known as story problems) by setting up word equations that use the Big Four operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing). In this chapter, I show you how to extend these skills to solve word problems with fractions, decimals, and percents.

First, I show you how to solve relatively easy problems, in which all you need to do is add or subtract fractions, decimals, or percents. Next, I show you how to solve problems that require you to multiply fractions. Such problems are easy to spot because they almost always contain the word of. After that, you discover how to solve percent problems by setting up a word equation and changing the percent to a decimal. Finally, I show you how to handle problems of percent ...

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