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7.4: Percent

  • Page ID
    48874
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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 \(\dfrac{165}{100}\) 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 \(\dfrac{38}{100}\).

    Sample Set A

    The percent 210% can be written as the fraction \(\dfrac{210}{100}\) or the mixed number \(2\dfrac{1)}{100}\) or 2.1.

    Sample Set A

    Since one dollar is 100 cents, 25 cents is \(\dfrac{25}{100}\) 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

    \(\dfrac{83}{100}\)

    Practice Set A

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

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{362}{100}\) or \(\dfrac{181}{50}\)

    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

    \(12\% = \dfrac{12}{100} = 0.12\)

    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

    \(0.75 = \dfrac{75}{100} = 75\%\)

    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 \(\dfrac{3}{5}\) 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.

    \(\dfrac{3}{5} \to \begin{array} {r} {.6} \\ {5\overline{)3.0}} \\ {\underline{3\ 0}} \\ {0} \end{array} \text{ or } \dfrac{3}{5} = 0.6 = \dfrac{6}{10} = \dfrac{60}{100} = 60\%\)

    Sample Set B

    Convert 42% to a fraction.

    Solution

    \(42\% = \dfrac{42}{100} = \dfrac{21}{50}\)

    or

    \(42\% = 0.42 = \dfrac{42}{100} = \dfrac{21}{50}\)

    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 \(\dfrac{3}{20}\) to a percent.

    Answer

    15%

    Practice Set B

    Convert \(\dfrac{11}{8}\) to a percent.

    Answer

    137.5%

    Practice Set B

    Convert \(\dfrac{3}{11}\) to a percent.

    Answer

    \(27.\overline{27}\)%

    Exercises

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

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    0.25

    Answer

    25%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    0.36

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    0.48

    Answer

    48%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    0.343

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    0.771

    Answer

    77.1%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    1.42

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    2.58

    Answer

    258%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    4.976

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{9}\)

    16.1814

    Answer

    1,618.14%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{10}\)

    533.01

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{11}\)

    2

    Answer

    200%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{12}\)

    14

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

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{13}\)

    15%

    Answer

    0.15

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{14}\)

    43%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{15}\)

    16.2%

    Answer

    0.162

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{16}\)

    53.8%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{17}\)

    5.05%

    Answer

    0.0505

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{18}\)

    6.11%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{19}\)

    0.78%

    Answer

    0.0078

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{20}\)

    0.88%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{21}\)

    0.09%

    Answer

    0.0009

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{22}\)

    0.001%

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

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{23}\)

    \(\dfrac{1}{5}\)

    Answer

    20%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{24}\)

    \(\dfrac{3}{5}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{25}\)

    \(\dfrac{5}{8}\)

    Answer

    62.5%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{26}\)

    \(\dfrac{1}{16}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{27}\)

    \(\dfrac{7}{25}\)

    Answer

    28%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{28}\)

    \(\dfrac{16}{45}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{29}\)

    \(\dfrac{27}{55}\)

    Answer

    \(49.\overline{09}\)%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{30}\)

    \(\dfrac{15}{8}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{31}\)

    \(\dfrac{41}{25}\)

    Answer

    164%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{32}\)

    \(6 \dfrac{4}{5}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{33}\)

    \(9 \dfrac{9}{20}\)

    Answer

    945%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{34}\)

    \(\dfrac{1}{200}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{35}\)

    \(\dfrac{6}{11}\)

    Answer

    \(54.\overline{54}\)%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{36}\)

    \(\dfrac{35}{27}\)

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

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    80%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{4}{5}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    60%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    25%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{4}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    75%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    65%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{13}{20}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    18%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    12.5%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{8}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    37.5%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    512.5%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{41}{8}\) or \(5 \dfrac{1}{8}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    937.5%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    \(9.\overline{9}\)%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{10}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    \(55.\overline{5}\)%

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)

    \(22.\overline{2}\)%

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{2}{9}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)

    \(63.\overline{6}\)%

    Exercises for Review

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{39}\)

    Find the quotient. \(\dfrac{40}{54} \div 8 \dfrac{7}{21}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{2}{9}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{40}\)

    \(\dfrac{3}{8}\) of what number is \(2\dfrac{2}{3}\)?

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{41}\)

    Find the value of \(\dfrac{28}{15} + \dfrac{7}{10} - \dfrac{5}{12}\).

    Answer

    \(\dfrac{129}{60}\) or \(2 \dfrac{9}{60} = 2 \dfrac{3}{20}\)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{42}\)

    Round 6.99997 to the nearest ten thousandths.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{43}\)

    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.