How to Calculate Percentage Increase in Working Hours Between Two Weekends

Question

Sarah works in a shop. The table shows the number of hours she works on two weekends. Work out the percentage increase in her total hours from Weekend 1 to Weekend 2.

|  | Saturday | Sunday |
|----|----|----|
| Weekend 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Weekend 2 | 11 1/2 | 8 1/2 |

Accepted Answer

20%

Answer

Step 1: Calculate the total working hours for Weekend 1. Add the Saturday and Sunday hours: 8 + 7 = 15 hours. Step 2: Calculate the total working hours for Weekend 2. Convert the mixed numbers to decimals (or add as fractions): 11.5 + 8.5 = 20 hours (or as fractions: 23/2 + 17/2 = 40/2 = 20 hours). Step 3: Find the increase in hours by subtracting Weekend 1 total from Weekend 2 total: 20 - 15 = 5 hours. Step 4: Calculate the percentage increase using the formula: (Increase / Original Total) × 100%. Substitute the values: (5 / 15) × 100% = (1/3) × 100% ≈ 33.33%? No, wait, correction: Wait 11.5 +8.5 is 20, 8+7 is15. (20-15)/15 *100 = (5/15)*100 = 33.33%? No, wait no, 11 1/2 is 11.5, 8 1/2 is8.5, sum is 20. 8+7 is15. (20-15)/15 *100 = 33.33%? Wait no, wait the question says percentage increase. Oh right, percentage increase is (New Value - Original Value)/Original Value *100. So (20-15)/15 *100 = 33.33%? Wait no, 11.5+8.5=20, 8+7=15. 20-15=5. 5/15=1/3≈0.3333, times 100 is 33.33%. Wait I made a mistake earlier. Correct answer is 33.33% or 100/3 % or 33 1/3 %. Step 5: Simplify the result: 5/15 reduces to 1/3, so 1/3 × 100% = 33 1/3 % or approximately 33.3%.