42 is 8.4% of 500.
Step 1: Translate the words into an equation.
42 | is | what percent | of | 500 |
42 | = | x | $ \cdot $ | 500 |
Step 2: Solve for $ x $.
$$ \begin{aligned} 42 &= x \cdot 500 \\[1.2 em] 500 \cdot x &= 42 \\[1.2 em] x &= \dfrac{ 42 }{ 500 } \\[1.2 em] x &= 0.084 \end{aligned} $$Step 3: Express $ x $ as a percentage.
$$ x = 0.084 = 0.084 ~~\cdot~~ 100 \% = 8.4 \% $$