A student multiplied a number by 3⁄5 instead of 5⁄3. What is the percentage error in the calculation?

Given

• Incorrect multiplier used = 3/5
• Correct multiplier should be = 5/3

Step 1: Compare wrong result to correct resultRatio (Wrong ÷ Correct) = (3/5) ÷ (5/3) = (3/5) × (3/5) = 9/25 = 0.36

Step 2: Compute percentage errorError fraction = 1 − 0.36 = 0.64Percentage error = 0.64 × 100 = 64% (less than the correct value)

Interpretation

• The computed answer is 36% of the correct one; hence it is short by 64%.

Final AnswerPercentage error = 64% less.