16 is what percent of 42 - step by step solution

To get the solution, we are looking for, we need to point out what we know.

1. We assume, that the number 42 is 100% - because it's the output value of the task.
2. We assume, that x is the value we are looking for.
3. If 100% equals 42, so we can write it down as 100%=42.
4. We know, that x% equals 16 of the output value, so we can write it down as x%=16.
5. Now we have two simple equations:
1) 100%=42
2) x%=16
where left sides of both of them have the same units, and both right sides have the same units, so we can do something like that:
100%/x%=42/16
6. Now we just have to solve the simple equation, and we will get the solution we are looking for.

7. Solution for 16 is what percent of 42

100%/x%=42/16
(100/x)*x=(42/16)*x       - we multiply both sides of the equation by x
100=2.625*x       - we divide both sides of the equation by (2.625) to get x
100/2.625=x
38.0952380952=x
x=38.0952380952

now we have:
16 is 38.0952380952% of 42