The tigers lost 15% of the 60 games that they played this season. how many games did they win?

The first step, would be to make the percent a fraction. 15%=15/100.

So, if they played 60 games, and you want to find how many they lost, you would write x/60, when x=games lost.

15     x
___=___
100   60

Simplify the fraction on the left. Divide the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) by 5, leaving you with 3/20.

3/20=x/60

Make the denominators (bottom) similar

9/60=x/60

x=9
  

No because if you do the higher number minus the lower number you will get a positive. if you do it the other way around you will get a negative number