Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test

What does a percent proportion compare?

1. One ratio of part to whole

2. A fraction and a decimal

3. The original price to the sale price

4. The discount to the final price

The correct answer is: One ratio of part to whole

A percent proportion specifically compares one ratio of part to whole, which helps to express a quantity as a percentage of a total. This relationship illustrates how a part relates to the whole in terms of percentage, making it useful for calculations involving percentages in various contexts, such as determining the percentage of a population, a score, or a financial quantity. The notion of part to whole is foundational in understanding percentages. For instance, if you have 20 apples out of a total of 100, the percent proportion would be 20 (part) to 100 (whole), and this can be expressed as 20%. Other choices, while relevant in different contexts, do not accurately define what a percent proportion measures: - Comparing a fraction to a decimal is about converting and understanding numerical representations, not specifically about percentages. - Comparing the original price to the sale price generally focuses on discounts and markups rather than the concept of percent proportions. - Similarly, comparing the discount to the final price deals with pricing strategies rather than the basic relation of part to whole that defines a percent proportion. Thus, the correct choice encapsulates the definition of a percent proportion effectively, emphasizing its role in illustrating how part amounts relate to the whole in percentage terms.