How to Find the Whole From a Percent

Are your students stuck on how to find the whole from a percent? If this skill is a bit puzzling to your students, there is a simple method to teach them to help them master this concept. When solving problems such as this, simply:

• Create two fractions to create an equal proportion problem. As we all know, the number written as the percent will be the numerator, and 100 will be the denominator.
• For this particular math skill, the number given in the problem is the part (written as the numerator of the second fraction), and the whole (denominator) is the unknown. 
• Students will then cross-multiply and divide the product by the numerator (in this case, the percentage) to find the missing whole number.

Teach Starter has created a standard practice worksheet for your students to strengthen their understanding of how to find the whole when given a part and a percentage.

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!  

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided math groups 
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers 
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to create word problems or a list of real-life scenarios where they would need to find the whole from a percent.

For students who need a bit of support, encourage them to complete the visual model version of this concept, Using Tape Diagrams to Find the Whole From a Percent – Worksheet. Students will find the whole from a percent using tape diagrams.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them. 

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

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This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

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