Calculating the Percentage of Balls of Different Colors in a Box

Introduction to Ball Percentage Calculation

Imagine you have a box containing 300 balls of different colors: 150 red, 30 white, and 120 black. To calculate the percentage of each color, you can use a simple formula. This article will guide you through the process and explain the underlying concept in detail.

Understanding the Problem and Variables

The problem statement clearly states that you have a total of 300 balls in the box, with 150 of them being red, 30 being white, and 120 being black.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculate Percentages

Total Number of Balls: We start with the total number of balls, which is 300. Red Balls: There are 150 red balls in the box. White Balls: There are 30 white balls in the box. Black Balls: There are 120 black balls in the box.

Calculating the Percentage of Red Balls

To find the percentage of red balls, we use the formula:

Percentage (Number of Balls of Specific Color / Total Number of Balls) x 100

Substituting the values for red balls:

Percentage of Red Balls (150/300) x 100

Percentage of Red Balls 0.5 x 100 50%

Calculating the Percentage of White Balls

Similarly, for the white balls:

Percentage of White Balls (30/300) x 100

Percentage of White Balls 0.1 x 100 10%

Calculating the Percentage of Black Balls

Now, let's find the percentage of black balls:

Percentage of Black Balls (120/300) x 100

Percentage of Black Balls 0.4 x 100 40%

Summary of Percentages

The final summary of the percentages of each color is as follows:

Red Balls: 50% White Balls: 10% Black Balls: 40%

Alternative Method: Simplifying the Calculation

Another way to approach this problem is to simplify the numbers by dividing each count by 3, since the total number of balls is 300, which is a multiple of 3:

Red Balls: 150 ÷ 3 50% White Balls: 30 ÷ 3 10% Black Balls: 120 ÷ 3 40%

This simplification makes the calculations straightforward and easier to remember.

Conclusion

Calculating the percentage of balls of different colors is a fundamental concept in statistics and probability. Understanding how to use the given formula and alternative methods can help you solve similar problems efficiently. This understanding is crucial for various practical and theoretical applications in mathematics and data analysis.