Question

Kent worked in the housewares section of a department store. This year he set a record high for vacuum sales with 567 vacuums sold. The previous high was last year, when 540 vacuums were sold. What is the percent of increase in sales from last year to this year?

Answer 1

The difference in sales was 567 - 540 = 27. That's a 27 vacuum increase. Now we find what percent increase by finding what percent of 540 is 27...

x% of 540 = 27
540x = 27
x = 27/540
x = .05

Convert to percent by multiplying by 100 (move decimal 2 places to the right)

x = .05 x 100 = 5%

It is a 5% increase this year compared to last year.