42 is what percent of 171 - 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 171 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 171, so we can write it down as 100%=171.
4. We know, that x% equals 42 of the output value, so we can write it down as x%=42.
5. Now we have two simple equations:
1) 100%=171
2) x%=42
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%=171/42
6. Now we just have to solve the simple equation, and we will get the solution we are looking for.

7. Solution for 42 is what percent of 171

100%/x%=171/42
(100/x)*x=(171/42)*x       - we multiply both sides of the equation by x
100=4.0714285714286*x       - we divide both sides of the equation by (4.0714285714286) to get x
100/4.0714285714286=x
24.561403508772=x
x=24.561403508772

now we have:
42 is 24.561403508772% of 171