Proportion of Pupils Speaking 3 Languages Out of Total Number of Pupils

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the proportion of pupils who speak three languages out of a total of 29 pupils. The correct method is to divide the total number of pupils (29) by the number of pupils who speak three languages (3), resulting in a proportion of 9.7 when rounded to one decimal place. A misunderstanding arises when an incorrect method is applied, leading to an illogical percentage exceeding 100%. The correct interpretation emphasizes the importance of understanding proportion calculations accurately.

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Matt
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I have attached a screenshot of the question. The methodology and answer that makes sense to me is the following:

29 (Total number of pupils) / 3 (Number of pupils who speak 3 languages) = 9.7 (1 d.p)

The answer given:
3 / 29 = 0.1 (1 d.p)

Have a misunderstood the question here? Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

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Your method gives you how many times a class of 29 pupils can be divided up into sets of 3 pupils. That wasn't the question.

Your answer gives 900+ percent. How do you get more than 100% of the class? Obviously you can't. The answer given in the figure is correct.
 
Matt said:
29 (Total number of pupils) / 3 (Number of pupils who speak 3 languages) = 9.7 (1 d.p)
Look at a simpler case.
Four balls: red, green blue and yellow.
What proportion are red?
It wouldn't be total / red because that would give you 4.
 

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