Question

If 25% of a number is 20 and 60% of the same number is 48, find 85% of that number.

Answer 1

Let's denote the unknown number as \( x \).

According to the problem:

1. \( 25\% \) of \( x \) is 20:
\[
0.25x = 20
\]

2. \( 60\% \) of \( x \) is 48:
\[
0.60x = 48
\]

To solve for \( x \), we'll start with the first equation.

From \( 0.25x = 20 \):
\[
x = \frac{20}{0.25} = 20 \times 4 = 80
\]

Next, let's verify using the second equation.

From \( 0.60x = 48 \):
\[
x = \frac{48}{0.60} = 48 \div 0.60 = 48 \times \frac{100}{60} = 48 \times \frac{5}{3} = 80
\]

Since both methods of determining \( x \) agree, we confirm that \( x = 80 \).

Now to find \( 85\% \) of \( x \):
\[
85\% \text{ of } x = 0.85x = 0.85 \times 80 = 68
\]

Thus, \( 85\% \) of the number is \(\boxed{68}\).