Arithmetic

What is 17% of 892?

Step-by-step solution with explanation

Final Answer

151.64

Step-by-step solution

1

Convert the percent to a decimal

Percent means 'out of 100.' Dividing 17 by 100 moves the decimal point two places to the left, giving us 0.17.
2

Set up the multiplication

Finding a percent 'of' a number means multiply. We multiply the decimal form of the percent by the number.
3

Multiply to get the answer

Multiply 17 × 892 = 15164, then place the decimal two spots from the right to get 151.64.

Understanding this problem

Learning Insight

Percent problems are really just multiplication in disguise. The word 'of' in math almost always means multiply. Converting the percent to a decimal first makes the multiplication straightforward with any calculator or by hand.

Quick Tip

To find any percent quickly, break it into easy parts. For 17%, find 10% (move the decimal left once → 89.2), then find 7% (89.2 × 0.7 = 62.44), and add them: 89.2 + 62.44 = 151.64.

Common Mistake

A common mistake is forgetting to convert the percent to a decimal, and instead multiplying by 17 instead of 0.17 — giving an answer 100 times too large (15,164 instead of 151.64).