12% of what number is 0.5? how do i solve this and what are the full steps

IS over OF. % over 100.
You would put 12 ( the percent ) over 100. Like a fraction.
Then IS over OF. Like a fraction. So it would be 0.5 over *a variable* in a fraction.form
Then cross multiply. So it would be 0.5 times 12. And 100 times *variable... would still be 100 with the variable next to it.
Then solve as a simple 1 step equation. Hope I helped ;)

Just substitute the phrase "what number" with the letter "x":
12% of x is 0.5; then translate the phrase into mathematical language:
(12/100)*x = 0.5
(* means multiplied by)
Do the math:
12x/100 = 0.5
12x = 0.5*100
x = 0.5*100/12
x = 50/12 = 25/6

12/100 x _____ = 1/2

1/2 divided by 12/100 = your answer

12% = 12/100 = 0.12
0.12*x=0.5
x=0.5/0.12
x= 4 and 1/6

12% = 0.12, so 0.12x = 0.5. Divide 0.5 by 0.12 to get x = 25/6

12%= 0.12. .12x=0.5 So, .x= 5/.12= 4.17