maths

[dylanfanatic]

Sorry folks I'm useless at maths. I have to submit a story to the O.U. creative writing course and am allowed 2,500 words (plus or minus 5%. ) So what does that leave me with as an upper word limit please? Im useless at percentages.
Bob

[wallacia]

2625 words

[susiespider]

I make it 2,625 words

[dylanfanatic]

Thank you both for that, I am very grateful. Wish I knew how to work it out.
Bob

[dr b]

5% is 0.05, so 2500 x 0.05 = 125. That means you can be between 2500-125 = 2375 and 2500+125 = 2625 words.

[dylanfanatic]

Thanks dr b,

[rov1200]

Non mathematicians to my knowledge hate formulas, percentages and fractions, etc.

Therefore the solution should be in words that are easily understandable.

5% means 5 in every hundred
There are 25 hundreds in 2500
therefore the extra no. words allowed are 5 x 25=125

[dylanfanatic]

That makes it very simple rov. Im 58 now and, years ago, writing poetry/stories under the desk was infinitely more preferable than listening to the maths teacher's monotonous drone.
Bob

[flicrat]

Or take 10per cent which just means dividing 2500 by 10. cross off a 0 and get 250.
Five per cent is half of that= 125. Add this to 2500.