Finding Percent of a Number
Learn how to calculate any percentage of a number using multiplication and conversion techniques.
Definition
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Worked Examples
Find 20% of 150.
Convert percent to decimal
→ 0.20
Multiply by the number
→ 30
State the answer
of equals → 30
Answer: 20% of 150 is 30
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to convert percent to decimal (calculating instead of )
Why it's wrong: The percent symbol means 'per hundred'. 20% is 20 per 100, which equals 0.20, not 20.
Correct: Always divide the percent by 100 first: , then multiply.
Moving the decimal point the wrong direction (writing 20% as 2.0 instead of 0.20)
Why it's wrong: To convert percent to decimal, move the decimal point two places LEFT (divide by 100).
Correct: (decimal moves LEFT two places)
Confusing 'percent of' with 'percent off'
Why it's wrong: '20% of 100' means find 20 (the answer). '20% off 100' means subtract 20 to get 80 (the final price).
Correct: For discounts, first find the percent, then subtract from the original.
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Practice Problems
18 problemsWhat is 10% of 50?
Why It Matters
- Shopping: Calculate discounts - "This 60 dollar jacket is 30% off"
- Tipping: Figure out a 15% or 20% tip at a restaurant
- Taxes: Understand sales tax added to purchases
- Grades: Know what score you need on a test
- Sports: Batting averages, free throw percentages
- Finance: Interest rates, savings goals
Real World Applications
Shopping Discounts
Stores use percentages to show how much you save during sales.
Example:
A 80 euro jacket is 25% off. Savings: euros. Sale price: euros.
A video game normally costs 50 euros. It is on sale for 40% off.
How much do you save, and what is the sale price?
Step 1: Write the mathematical expression
Calculate the savings:
Restaurant Tips
Calculating tips is a common use of percentages.
Example:
On a 40 euro meal, a 15% tip is euros.
Your restaurant bill is 65 euros. You want to leave a 20% tip.
How much should you tip?
Step 1: Write the mathematical expression
Calculate:
Test Scores
Teachers often tell you what percent you scored on a test.
Example:
If a test has 40 questions and you need 80% to pass, you need correct answers.
A test has 50 questions. You need to score at least 70% to pass.
How many questions must you answer correctly?
Step 1: Write the mathematical expression
Calculate:
Key Takeaways
- 1To find a percent of a number, convert the percent to a decimal and multiply
- 2Convert percent to decimal by dividing by 100 (move decimal 2 places left)
- 3Formula:
- 4Useful shortcuts: 10% = divide by 10, 50% = divide by 2, 25% = divide by 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary
- Percent
- A ratio that compares a number to 100. The symbol % means 'per hundred'.
- Decimal equivalent
- The percent divided by 100. For example, 25% = 0.25.
- Whole (or Base)
- The total number you are finding a percent of.
- Part
- The result when you calculate a percent of a whole.
Formula Card
Decimal Method
Convert percent to decimal and multiply
Fraction Method
Use the percent as a fraction over 100