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•‘More than a half of people surveyed were in support of the Jedi Knights.’

This survey on perspectives about climate change uses percentages, and their equivalent fractions.

A survey on climate change received 10,000 responses from Australians aged under 30. Of the respondents, 93% said the government was not doing enough to address climate change. The vast majority had little faith in the nation’s political leadership to address the issue. Nearly three in four said they would vote for or support political leaders taking bold action on climate change. Just 11% felt as though their vote actually mattered. Beyond climate change, the report found 66% of young people were feeling increasingly anxious and uncertain about their future.

Percentages and their equivalent fractions are summarised to make comparative statements about young people’s views. For example.

• We can interpret 93% as a bit more than 9/10, or more than 9 people out of every 10 were concerned about inaction on climate change.

• In the sentence that says ‘Nearly three in four said they would vote for or support political leaders taking bold action on climate change’, we can interpret that as being the same as about ¾ of the people held that view.

It is a curious fact that a 10% increase followed by a 10% decrease does not take you back to the original value. Try 100 + 10% – 10%. Also try 100 – 10% + 10%. The answer is 99, which is a 1% decrease overall.

A footballer weighed 100 kg. After a season in the gym, they put on 10%. At the end of the season, they took off 10%. What was their final weight?

THINKING WORKING

STEP 1

Starting weight = 100 kg, then put on 10%. Press 100 + 10% = 110 kg.

STEP 2

The footballer loses 10% of that 110 kg weight. Press 110 – 10% = 99 kg final weight.