Question

20 is what percent of 50?

Answer 1

We can rephrase the question as "What percent of 50 is 20?".
"What percent ..." is an unknown. We'll use the variable x to represent this unknown.

The word 'of' in mathematics can mean 'multiply'. Likewise the word 'is' can mean 'equal'.

Now we have the phrase "20 equals to x times 50".

Or in an equation: 20 = x * 50

Solve for x.

20 = x * 50
$\frac{20}{50}$ = x <-- Divide both sides by 50

Simplify the fraction.

$\frac{20}{50} = \frac{2}{5}$

Convert the fraction into a decimal.

$\frac{2}{5}$ = 0.4

Convert the decimal into a percent.

0.4 = 40%

So, 40% is the answer.