Question

in 1995, 57.5% of students at Gardiner university graduated in 4 or fewer years of study. in 2009, that number had fallen to 52.8%. what was the rate of change for percent of students graduating within 4 years from 1995 to 2009.

Answer 1

Okay. So, to find the difference in both numbers, we have to subtract. 57.5 - 52.8 is 4.7. the difference is 4.7. To find the percent of change, we can set up and solve a proportion, with change/original = x/100. In this case, would write the proportion out like this: 4.7/57.5 = x/100. Let's cross multiply the values, When we do that, we get 470 = 57.5x. Now, let's divide each side by 57.5 to isolate the "x". 470/57.5 is 8.1739 and other numbers behind it or 8.2 when rounded to the nearest tenth. x ≈ 8.2. The percent of change is approx. 8.2%.