How could you use the bar model in the Example to find \( 75 \% \) of 500 ?

Imagine a bar divided into 100 equal parts, where each part represents 1%. To find \( 75\% \) of 500 using this model, you would shade in 75 of those parts. Each part, representing 1% of 500, equals 5 (since \( 500 \div 100 = 5 \)). To get the total for \( 75\% \), you simply multiply \( 75 \times 5 = 375 \). Voilà! You've visualized the solution with a simple bar model! Next, let’s talk about a common mistake. Sometimes, people forget to divide the total into those 100 equal parts first, and instead jump into multiplying without proper visualization. This can lead to confusion, especially with larger numbers. Always take that extra moment to sketch out your bar before diving into calculations; it’ll save you from those pesky miscalculations!