Here’s my foolproof method for percentage problems, or how to translate English to math.
Another way to phrase your question is “What percent of 440 is 170?”
Each word in that sentence converts directly to a math symbol:
What: this is what you’re looking to find, call it x.
Percent: “per” means division, “cent” means 100; percent literally just means divide by 100.
Of: protip, “of” translates to mutiplication in most cases.
Is: i.e. equals, this is your equal sign.
So “What percent of 440 is 170?” translates to:
X/100 * 440 = 170
Then solve for x by dividing by 440 and multiplying by 100.
Works every time.