Question

maxine: i can use the proportion \\(\frac{x}{50} = \frac{16}{100}\\) to solve
theo: i can find 16% because i can divide 50 by 16.
bryan: i knew that 16% of 50 is going to be less than 10, because 10% is 5 and 20% is 10
quinn: i can change 16% to 0.16, and multiply it by 50

Explanation:

To solve for \( 16\% \) of \( 50 \), we can use Maxine's proportion method or Theo's division method. Let's use Maxine's proportion:

Step 1: Set up the proportion

We know that \( \frac{x}{50} = \frac{16}{100} \), where \( x \) is \( 16\% \) of \( 50 \).

Step 2: Cross - multiply to solve for \( x \)

Cross - multiplying gives us \( 100x=16\times50 \). First, calculate \( 16\times50 = 800 \). So the equation becomes \( 100x = 800 \).

Step 3: Solve for \( x \)

Divide both sides of the equation \( 100x = 800 \) by \( 100 \). \( x=\frac{800}{100}=8 \).

Or using Theo's method:

Step 1: Understand the relationship

Since \( 16\%=\frac{16}{100} \), and we want to find \( 16\% \) of \( 50 \), we can also think of it as \( 50\times\frac{16}{100} \). Simplifying \( \frac{50\times16}{100} \), we can divide \( 50 \) by \( 100 \) first to get \( 0.5 \), then multiply by \( 16 \): \( 0.5\times16 = 8 \). Or as Theo said, divide \( 50 \) by \( 100 \) (which is \( 0.5 \)) and then multiply by \( 16 \), or directly divide \( 50 \) by \( \frac{100}{16} \) (but the first way is simpler).

Answer:

\( 16\% \) of \( 50 \) is \( \boldsymbol{8} \)