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Mathematics LibreTexts

7.4: Percent

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Learning Objectives
  • understand the relationship between ratios and percents
  • be able to make conversions between fractions, decimals, and percents

Ratios and Percents

Ratio, Percent
We defined a ratio as a comparison, by division, of two pure numbers or two like denominate numbers. A most convenient number to compare numbers to is 100. Ratios in which one number is compared to 100 are called percents. The word percent comes from the Latin word "per centum." The word "per" means "for each" or "for every," and the word "centum" means "hundred." Thus, we have the following definition.

Percent means “for each hundred," or "for every hundred."

The symbol % is used to represent the word percent.

Sample Set A

The ratio 26 to 100 can be written as 26%. We read 26% as "twenty-six percent."

Sample Set A

The ratio 165100 can be written as 165%.

We read 165% as "one hundred sixty-five percent."

Sample Set A

The percent 38% can be written as the fraction 38100.

Sample Set A

The percent 210% can be written as the fraction 210100 or the mixed number 21)100 or 2.1.

Sample Set A

Since one dollar is 100 cents, 25 cents is 25100 of a dollar. This implies that 25 cents is 25% of one dollar.

Practice Set A

Write the ratio 16 to 100 as a percent.

Answer

16%

Practice Set A

Write the ratio 195 to 100 as a percent.

Answer

195%

Practice Set A

Write the percent 83% as a ratio in fractional form.

Answer

83100

Practice Set A

Write the percent 362% as a ratio in fractional form.

Answer

362100 or 18150

The Relationship Between Fractions, Decimals, and Percents – Making Conversions

Since a percent is a ratio, and a ratio can be written as a fraction, and a fraction can be written as a decimal, any of these forms can be converted to any other.

Before we proceed to the problems in Sample Set B and Practice Set B, let's summarize the conversion techniques.

Conversion Techniques – Fractions, Decimals, Percents
To Convert a Fraction To Convert a Decimal To Convert a Percent
To a decimal: Divide the numerator by the denominator To a fraction: Read the decimal and reduce the resulting fraction To a decimal: Move the decimal point 2 places to the left and drop the % symbol
To a percent: Convert the fraction first to a decimal, then move the decimal point 2 places to the right and affix the % symbol. To a percent: Move the decimal point 2 places to the right and affix the % symbol To a fraction: Drop the % sign and write the number “over” 100. Reduce, if possible.
Sample Set B

Convert 12% to a decimal.

Solution

12%=12100=0.12

Note that

Twelve percent is equal to .12. this diagram shows that the decimal place in 12% moves two spaces to the left to convert to a decimal.

The % symbol is dropped, and the decimal point moves 2 places to the left.

Sample Set B

Convert 0.75 to a percent.

Solution

0.75=75100=75%

Note that

.75 percent is equal to 75%. this diagram shows that the decimal place in .75 moves two spaces to the right to convert to a percent.

The % symbol is affixed, and the decimal point moves 2 units to the right.

Sample Set B

Convert 35 to a percent.

Solution

We see in Example above that we can convert a decimal to a percent. We also know that we can convert a fraction to a decimal. Thus, we can see that if we first convert the fraction to a decimal, we can then convert the decimal to a percent.

35.65¯)3.03 0_0 or 35=0.6=610=60100=60%

Sample Set B

Convert 42% to a fraction.

Solution

42%=42100=2150

or

42%=0.42=42100=2150

Practice Set B

Convert 21% to a decimal.

Answer

0.21

Practice Set B

Convert 461% to a decimal.

Answer

4.61

Practice Set B

Convert 0.55 to a percent.

Answer

55%

Practice Set B

Convert 5.64 to a percent.

Answer

564%

Practice Set B

Convert 320 to a percent.

Answer

15%

Practice Set B

Convert 118 to a percent.

Answer

137.5%

Practice Set B

Convert 311 to a percent.

Answer

27.¯27%

Exercises

For the following 12 problems, convert each decimal to a percent.

Exercise 7.4.1

0.25

Answer

25%

Exercise 7.4.2

0.36

Exercise 7.4.3

0.48

Answer

48%

Exercise 7.4.4

0.343

Exercise 7.4.5

0.771

Answer

77.1%

Exercise 7.4.6

1.42

Exercise 7.4.7

2.58

Answer

258%

Exercise 7.4.8

4.976

Exercise 7.4.9

16.1814

Answer

1,618.14%

Exercise 7.4.10

533.01

Exercise 7.4.11

2

Answer

200%

Exercise 7.4.12

14

For the following 10 problems, convert each percent to a deci­mal.

Exercise 7.4.13

15%

Answer

0.15

Exercise 7.4.14

43%

Exercise 7.4.15

16.2%

Answer

0.162

Exercise 7.4.16

53.8%

Exercise 7.4.17

5.05%

Answer

0.0505

Exercise 7.4.18

6.11%

Exercise 7.4.19

0.78%

Answer

0.0078

Exercise 7.4.20

0.88%

Exercise 7.4.21

0.09%

Answer

0.0009

Exercise 7.4.22

0.001%

For the following 14 problems, convert each fraction to a per­cent.

Exercise 7.4.23

15

Answer

20%

Exercise 7.4.24

35

Exercise 7.4.25

58

Answer

62.5%

Exercise 7.4.26

116

Exercise 7.4.27

725

Answer

28%

Exercise 7.4.28

1645

Exercise 7.4.29

2755

Answer

49.¯09%

Exercise 7.4.30

158

Exercise 7.4.31

4125

Answer

164%

Exercise 7.4.32

645

Exercise 7.4.33

9920

Answer

945%

Exercise 7.4.34

1200

Exercise 7.4.35

611

Answer

54.¯54%

Exercise 7.4.36

3527

For the following 14 problems, convert each percent to a fraction.

Exercise 7.4.37

80%

Answer

45

Exercise 7.4.38

60%

Exercise 7.4.37

25%

Answer

14

Exercise 7.4.38

75%

Exercise 7.4.37

65%

Answer

1320

Exercise 7.4.38

18%

Exercise 7.4.37

12.5%

Answer

18

Exercise 7.4.38

37.5%

Exercise 7.4.37

512.5%

Answer

418 or 518

Exercise 7.4.38

937.5%

Exercise 7.4.37

9.¯9%

Answer

110

Exercise 7.4.38

55.¯5%

Exercise 7.4.37

22.¯2%

Answer

29

Exercise 7.4.38

63.¯6%

Exercises for Review

Exercise 7.4.39

Find the quotient. 4054÷8721.

Answer

29

Exercise 7.4.40

38 of what number is 223?

Exercise 7.4.41

Find the value of 2815+710512.

Answer

12960 or 2960=2320

Exercise 7.4.42

Round 6.99997 to the nearest ten thousandths.

Exercise 7.4.43

On a map, 3 inches represent 40 miles. How many inches represent 480 miles?

Answer

36 inches


This page titled 7.4: Percent is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Denny Burzynski & Wade Ellis, Jr. (OpenStax CNX) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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