Last year, 200 students enrolled in an interior design program. This year, the number of students enrolled is 147% of...

1. TRANSLATE the problem information

• Given information:
  • Last year: 200 students enrolled
  • This year: 147% of last year's number

• What this tells us: We need to find what 147% of 200 equals

2. TRANSLATE the percentage operation

• \(\mathrm{147\%\ of\ 200}\) means: \(\mathrm{\frac{147}{100} \times 200}\)
• Convert to decimal form: \(\mathrm{1.47 \times 200}\)
• This gives us our calculation

3. SIMPLIFY the arithmetic

• Calculate: \(\mathrm{1.47 \times 200 = 294}\)
• Therefore, 294 students are enrolled this year

Answer: B. 294

Why Students Usually Falter on This Problem

Most Common Error Path:

Weak TRANSLATE skill: Students misinterpret what 147% means in context

Students might think "147% of last year" means "add 147 to last year's number," leading them to calculate \(\mathrm{200 + 147 = 347}\)

This may lead them to select Choice C (347)

Second Most Common Error Path:

Conceptual confusion about percentages: Students think 147% means a 47% increase

They might calculate \(\mathrm{200 + (47\%\ of\ 200) = 200 + 94 = 294}\), which actually gives the correct answer, but through flawed reasoning. However, some students might calculate \(\mathrm{200 + 47 = 247}\) instead

This may lead them to select Choice A (247)

The Bottom Line:

The key challenge is correctly TRANSLATING percentage language into mathematical operations. Students must understand that "147% of a number" means multiplying by 1.47, not adding 147 or treating it as a 47% increase.