Problem of the Week - Upper Elementary - Jan. 3, 2021 to Jan. 9, 2021

Upper Elementary: 

Question: Brianna has a box that can hold up to 50 pounds. She puts 3 books that each weight 2 pounds inside the box. She also puts a lamp that weighs 20 pounds inside the box. What percent of the box's maximum weight capacity does Brianna have left to fill? 

Answer: 48%

Solution: Brianna puts 3 x 2 + 20 = 26 pounds of stuff into the box. That means the box can hold another 50 - 26 = 24 pounds. Since 50 is half of 100 and percents are out of 100, we can double 24 to find that there is still 48% of the box's maximum weight capacity left to fill.