Using the Proportion Method to Solve Percent Problems There are a variety of ways to solve percent problems, many of which can be VERY confusing. Fortunately, the PROPORTION METHOD will work for all three types of questions: What number is 75% of 4? 3 is what percent of 4? 75% of what number is 3? Using the PROPORTION METHOD, the set-up is always the same: part = percent whole 100   PERCENT -- the number with the percent sign (%). PART -- the number with the word is. WHOLE -- the number with the word of.