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Outline[]

PercentGrid

This 10x10 grid has 100 squares so each represents 1%
64 of the 100 squares, or 64% of the overall area, is shaded.

Percent means "for every 100" and is denoted by the % symbol. The symbol is derived from the diagonal line of a fraction and the two zeros of 100.

In practical terms, a percentage is a multiple of so:

64% is or .





Worked Examples[]

Equivalent values[]

Convert Percent to Fraction[]

Sample question:[]

"Convert 23% to a fraction"

Solution:[]

Remember that percent is the number of hundredths so replace the % symbol with "" then simplify.

Convert Percent to Decimal[]

Sample question:[]

"Convert 23% to a decimal"

Solution:[]

To convert to a decimal, use the decimal equivalent of

Convert Fraction to Percent[]

Sample question:[]

Express as a percent

Solution:[]

First, convert the fraction to have a denominator of 100 then rearrange as a multiple of

Convert Decimal to Percent[]

Sample question:[]

Express 0.458 as a percent

Solution:[]

Start by rearranging to a multiple of 0.01 then continue as you would for a fraction.

Finding a percentage of a value[]

Sample question:[]

What is 23% of $400?

Solution:[]

First, convert the 23% to a fraction or decimal (methods shown earlier) then multiply the result by $400.

Practice[]

You can practice skills in percent using the following references:

Khan Academy[]

Make sure you are logged in to Khan Academy when doing these exercises so your practice is recorded.

Application[]

Percentages are often used in financial applications where a proportion calculation is required. These include:

  • Discounts (percentage of original price)
  • Profit margin (percentage of sale price)
  • Tips (percentage of total bill)
  • Loan or Deposit interest (percentage of balance)

Next Steps[]

Comfortable with percents? Check out the follow-on mathematics you can now do:

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