Question

The Census Bureau estimates that in 2020, 15 of the 50 states will have a Spanish-speaking majority. What percent of the states will have a Spanish-speaking majority?
A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 30%
D. 50%

Answer 1

The answer is:  [C]:  "30%" .
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Explanation:
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Note that: "%" ; or "percent" means "out of 100" ; or "divided by 100" .
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Method 1) 

15/50 = ?/ 100 ;

Look at the denominators:

50 * (what value?) = 100 ? ;  → "100 ÷ 50 = 2" ;

→ 50 * 2 = 100 ;

So:  "15/50 = (15*2)/(50*2) = "30/100" ; which is "30%" .
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Method 2:
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 "15/50" = (15÷5) / (50÷5) = 3/10 ; 

3/10 = (3*10) / (10*10) = 30/100 ; which is:  "30%" .
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Method 3:  (slight variation of "Method 2" above):
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 "15/50" = (15÷5) / (50÷5) = 3/10 ; 

3/10 = 0.3 = 0.30 = (0.30 * 100) % =  " 30% " .
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