Tiny percent of a large number: The number 0.05 is what percent of 20?

Introduction / Context:This is a ratio-to-percent conversion. We compare a small quantity (0.05) to a larger base (20) and then scale by 100 to express the relationship in percent terms. This is common in error rates and very low concentration problems.

Given Data / Assumptions:Compute percent = (0.05 / 20) * 100%.

Concept / Approach:Form the fraction of the part over the whole and multiply by 100. Ensure correct decimal manipulation because the numbers differ by orders of magnitude.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:As a decimal, 0.25% = 0.0025. 0.0025 * 20 = 0.05, which confirms the calculation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:2.5% corresponds to 0.5/20; 25% corresponds to 5/20; 0.025% and 0.5% are off by factors of 10 or 2 relative to 0.25%.

Common Pitfalls:Forgetting to multiply by 100 to convert to percent or misplacing the decimal point during division.

Final Answer:0.25%