To find the percent of a number, convert the percent to a decimal or a fraction, and then multiply by the number. For instance, convert 50% to 0.50 and multiply by 100 to get 50. Percentages involve division and are commonly used in various calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding Percent of a Number
Finding the percent of a number is simpler when you understand that a percent is just a special type of fraction where the denominator is 100. To find the percent of a number, you first convert the percent to a decimal or a fraction, and then multiply it by the number in question. For example, to find 50 percent of 100, you convert 50% to its decimal form which is 0.50 (by dividing by 100) and then multiply 0.50 by 100 to get 50. Another method is to use an equivalent fraction where the denominator is 100. It is also important to remember that calculating percents involves division and percentage calculations are often necessary in real life.
Converting Percents to Decimals and Fractions
To convert a percent to a decimal, you divide the percent by 100. For example, to convert 25% to a decimal, you divide 25 by 100 to get 0.25. To convert a percent to a fraction, you write the percent as a fraction with a denominator of 100 and simplify if possible. Using this method, 25% becomes 25/100 which simplifies to 1/4.
Percentage Calculations in Practice
When you receive a score on an exam, such as 96 out of 100, to express it as a percent you divide 96 by 100 to get the fraction, and then multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage, resulting in 96%. Similarly, in chemistry, the percentage composition is found by dividing the part by the total and then multiplying by 100. To find concentration in percent, the same method is applied.