21 is what percent of 538 - 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 538 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 538, so we can write it down as 100%=538.
4. We know, that x% equals 21 of the output value, so we can write it down as x%=21.
5. Now we have two simple equations:
1) 100%=538
2) x%=21
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%=538/21
6. Now we just have to solve the simple equation, and we will get the solution we are looking for.

7. Solution for 21 is what percent of 538

100%/x%=538/21
(100/x)*x=(538/21)*x       - we multiply both sides of the equation by x
100=25.619047619048*x       - we divide both sides of the equation by (25.619047619048) to get x
100/25.619047619048=x
3.9033457249071=x
x=3.9033457249071

now we have:
21 is 3.9033457249071% of 538