Understanding Percentages: A Quick Guide for Your Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam

When preparing for the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam, math can sometimes feel like a daunting hurdle, especially when it comes to working with percentages. Don’t sweat it! Let's break it down together, because trust me, mastering these concepts can really boost your confidence as you head toward your nursing career. Ready?

You might have come across a question asking, “What is the expression for eighty-two percent of last year's enrollment, represented by r?” It sounds trickier than it is, but it’s fairly straightforward. The answer options give you a choice of A. 82r, B. 0.82r, C. r/82, and D. r - 0.82. The magic answer here is B. 0.82r. Let’s unpack why that is.

First things first, what does “eighty-two percent” even mean? Well, when someone mentions the phrase “percent,” they're actually talking about a part of a whole—essentially how many out of every hundred. The term "percent" comes from the Latin phrase meaning "per hundred." So, when we say eighty-two percent, we’re referring to 82 out of every 100. If we convert that to a fraction, it’s 82/100.

But there’s more! To work with this number in calculations, we often convert percentages to decimals. Simple division tells us that 82 divided by 100 equals 0.82. Now, here’s where it gets easy. To find eighty-two percent of last year's enrollment, which we’re calling r, we simply multiply r by 0.82. In mathematical terms, that looks like this: 0.82 × r, or as we write it, 0.82r.

Now, why is this method so crucial, particularly for your nursing entrance exam? Understanding how to manipulate percentages will not only help you tackle similar questions that pop up but also give you a clearer picture of other mathematical concepts you’ll encounter in nursing. Imagine needing to calculate medication dosages—percentages are everywhere, so the more comfortable you become with them, the easier your studies will flow.

But let’s not just stop there. It’s important to become familiar with different percentage calculations you’ll see in practice scenarios. Say you’re asked to find 60%, 75%, or even different combinations. The approach is similar, yet the practice helps in building that essential skill set. Plus, the more questions you tackle, the better you'll respect the process and feel confident when you encounter percentages in real-life scenarios.

Remember, math can sometimes seem overly complex, but with a solid understanding of percentages like we discussed, you'll be making calculations in your sleep! Just think of yourself standing in the exam room—confident, eagerly ready to tackle whatever they throw at you. Now that you’ve grasped this concept, it’s time to practice, practice, practice! You got this!