7. In a shipment of MP3 players, \( 2 \% \) are defective. There are 5 defective MP3 players. How many MP3 players are there in this shipment?

To find the total number of MP3 players in the shipment, you can use the information provided about the percentage of defective players. If \( 2\% \) of the total number of MP3 players is equal to 5, you set up the equation: \[ 0.02 \times \text{Total} = 5. \] To find the total, divide both sides of the equation by \( 0.02 \): \[ \text{Total} = \frac{5}{0.02} = 250. \] So, there are 250 MP3 players in the shipment! It’s interesting to note that understanding percentages can significantly streamline your calculations in real-life situations, like inventory management or retail! In practical scenarios, knowing how to quickly calculate defective items can save businesses a lot of money and effort. Remember that keeping accurate counts and auditing can help identify patterns, leading to better quality control in manufacturing processes.