What is 15% of 32?

Introduction / Context:
This is a direct percentage calculation, designed to test whether you can quickly convert a percentage into a fraction or decimal and multiply it with a given number. Such simple questions form the foundation for more complex percentage and ratio problems in aptitude tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

We need to find 15% of 32.

Percentage is always calculated as (percentage / 100) times the base value.

Concept / Approach:
To calculate x% of a number N, use the formula:
x% of N = (x / 100) * N.
Here, x = 15 and N = 32. We convert 15% into a fraction or decimal and multiply by 32 to get the required value. It is often helpful to simplify the fraction 15 / 100 to 3 / 20 before multiplying, which makes the calculation easier.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write 15% as a fraction: 15% = 15 / 100.Step 2: Simplify 15 / 100 by dividing numerator and denominator by 5, giving 3 / 20.Step 3: Compute 3 / 20 of 32: (3 / 20) * 32.Step 4: 32 / 20 = 1.6, so (3 / 20) * 32 = 3 * 1.6 = 4.8.Step 5: Therefore 15% of 32 equals 4.8.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can also use decimal conversion directly: 15% = 0.15, so 0.15 * 32 = 4.8. This matches the earlier result and confirms that 4.8 is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
3.6 corresponds roughly to 11.25% of 32, not 15%.
5.2 and 5.8 are larger than the correct value and do not correspond to any nice simple percentage of 32.
4.2 is another distractor that does not match 15% of 32.

Common Pitfalls:
Common mistakes include dividing 32 by 15 instead of multiplying by 15 / 100, or misplacing the decimal when converting from percent to decimal. Some test takers also confuse the meaning of percent and attempt arithmetic without converting to fraction or decimal. Always remember that x% means x parts out of 100 and use (x / 100) * number as your standard method.

Final Answer:
15% of 32 is 4.8.