Math Problem of the Week - Middle School - Oct. 31, 2021 to Nov. 6, 2021

Middle School: 

Question: The average rat weighs half a pound. A rodent of unusual size weighs 37.5 pounds. What percentage of a rodent of unusual size's weight does the average rat weigh?

Answer: 1 1/3%

Solution:  To find out what fractional part of 37.5 pounds a 0.5–pound rat is, we divide 0.5 by 37.5 to get 0.1. A rat is therefore 1 1/3% the size of a rodent of unusual size.