12.5 is 5% of 250.
Step 1: Translate the words into an equation.
12.5 | is | what percent | of | 250 |
12.5 | = | x | $ \cdot $ | 250 |
Step 2: Solve for $ x $.
$$ \begin{aligned} 12.5 &= x \cdot 250 \\[1.2 em] 250 \cdot x &= 12.5 \\[1.2 em] x &= \dfrac{ 12.5 }{ 250 } \\[1.2 em] x &= 0.05 \end{aligned} $$Step 3: Express $ x $ as a percentage.
$$ x = 0.05 = 0.05 ~~\cdot~~ 100 \% = 5 \% $$