17 is 4.25% of 400.
Step 1: Translate the words into an equation.
17 | is | what percent | of | 400 |
17 | = | x | $ \cdot $ | 400 |
Step 2: Solve for $ x $.
$$ \begin{aligned} 17 &= x \cdot 400 \\[1.2 em] 400 \cdot x &= 17 \\[1.2 em] x &= \dfrac{ 17 }{ 400 } \\[1.2 em] x &= 0.0425 \end{aligned} $$Step 3: Express $ x $ as a percentage.
$$ x = 0.0425 = 0.0425 ~~\cdot~~ 100 \% = 4.25 \% $$