As part of a class project, mesut collected $126 in donations for a local hospice. that amount was 7% of the total amount collected by the class. how much money did the class collect in all?

0.07x = 126

mesut collected $126
to find the $126, the total amount must be multiplied by the 7% (0.07)

However, we do not know the total amount,so, the total amount can thus be represented by the variable "x" which then gives us the following equation:
0.07x = 126

0.07 is the percent
x is the total
126 is mesut's amount

1) 0.07x = 126
    divide 0.07 with 0.07 (this cancels out)

2) divide 126 by 0.07

3) x = 1800

To check if the answer is correct, simply multiply 1800 with 0.07 which should give you 126.