Three ways, same amount
A fraction, a decimal and a percentage can all show the same amount in different ways. For example, one half can be written as 1/2, 0.5 or 50%. They look different, but they mean exactly the same amount. Knowing how they match up makes maths much easier.
Key idea
Learn these friendly sets: 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%, 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%, 3/4 = 0.75 = 75%, and 1/10 = 0.1 = 10%.
How to change them
Thinking about hundredths makes changing easy.
- Fraction to decimal: think of tenths or hundredths.
- Decimal to percent: 0.5 = 50 out of 100 = 50%.
- Percent to fraction: 25% = 25/100.
Worked example
Show 1/4 as a decimal and a percentage.
1/4 is the same as 25/100. As a decimal that is 0.25, and as a percentage it is 25%. So 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%.
Remember
- 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%.
- 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%.
- They all mean the same amount.