If 2,400 students was taken, then 2,400 is 12% of the total applicants. The expression for the problem is, 12% of the total applicants = 2,400 12% × total applicants = 2,400
Now calculate the number of students who applied, 12% should be moved to the right side to calculate the total applicants 12% × total applicants = 2,400 12/100 × total applicants = 2,400 total applicants = 2,400 × 100/12 total applicants = 240,000/12 total applicants = 20,000
The number of students who applied to the school is 20,000