How to Solve Percentage Problems for the Nursing Entrance Exam

Cracking the Code: Understanding Percentages with Real-Life Examples

Let’s face it, numbers can be tricky sometimes. Whether it’s balancing your checkbook or figuring out a tip at a restaurant, percentages pop up everywhere in our lives. If you've found yourself scratching your head over percentages, especially in scenarios like "12 is 15% of a number," you're not alone— many of us have been there. But today, we're going to break down these concepts in a way that’s clear and maybe even a bit fun!

What’s the Big Deal about Percentages?

You know what? Percentages are basically just a way to express a portion of something. When you hear someone say, “I got a 90% on my test,” it means they got 90 out of 100 questions right. Easy, right? Now, let’s look at how they can be useful in settings where you’d least expect them, like nursing, finance, or cooking!

Imagine you’re prepping for a big family dinner. If you want to cook for eight people but only have a recipe for four, you’ll need to adjust the ingredients. To do this, you’d use percentages to determine just how much of each ingredient you need to double.

Turning Words into Numbers: Let’s Get Practical!

Let’s circle back to that question about our mysterious number. We know that 12 is 15% of some number, which we'll call ( x ). So, how do we figure out what ( x ) is? It's pretty straightforward—let's do some simple math.

Mathematically, this can be expressed like this:

[

0.15x = 12

]

This equation means, if you take 15% of ( x ), you should equal 12. To find ( x ), you’ll just divide both sides of the equation by 0.15.

[

x = \frac{12}{0.15}

]

Now that we’ve come this far, let’s do a quick calculation. Taking out your calculator (or just your brain power), when you divide 12 by 0.15, you’ll find that:

[

x = 80

]

Now that we've determined ( x ) is 80, let’s tackle something a bit spicier—finding 35% of the same number.

35%—The Spice of Life!

Okay, here comes the fun part. Now that we know our number is 80, calculating 35% of it is as easy as pie. Well, not literally, because pie requires mixing and baking! But you know what I mean.

To find 35% of 80, we multiply:

[

0.35 \times 80

]

Plugging that in gives us:

[

0.35 \times 80 = 28

]

Voilà! So, 35% of 80 is 28. If you take all this info, you can see that if 12 represents 15% of our earlier number, then 28 is what represents 35% of the same number. Simple, right?

Why Know This?

Understanding percentages is crucial. As a nursing student—or in any field for that matter—you'll likely come across calculations involving medication dosages, patient vitals, and much more. The better you get at this foundational math, the more confidence you'll have, even when you’re running on coffee and adrenaline!

And hey, think about your day-to-day life: Those discount prices at your favorite store? Yep, those require you to know how to calculate percentages quickly. The clearer you are with these concepts, the more prepared you’ll feel when numbers come crashing into your reality.

Putting It All Together

So here’s the takeaway: Whenever you see percentages, think of them as a tool— not a mountain you have to climb. Breaking them down into relatable scenarios helps to decode even the toughest math puzzle. Sometimes it’s even about understanding what these numbers mean—like “34% off" means you're saving money, and who doesn’t like saving money?

Keep practicing a bit now and then, whether that's mentally calculating your grocery bill or helping a friend figure out their budget. You might surprise yourself with how quickly percentages can become second nature. And who knows? The next time someone asks, “What is 35% of 80?” you might just be ready with an enthusiastic answer.

Final Thoughts

In a world of fast-paced information and numerous calculations, a little knowledge about percentages can go a long way. Whether it’s the cooking dinner for your family, preparing for your future career, or simply enjoying a shopping spree, those little numbers might hold more power than you realize. So gear up and make those numbers your friends—you’ve got this!