What percentage means
Percent means 'out of 100'. So 25% means 25 out of 100. Percentages, fractions and decimals are three ways to show the same amount: 50% = ½ = 0.5.
Key idea
To find a percentage of a number, change the percent to a fraction over 100, then multiply by the number.
Worked example
Worked example
Find 25% of 80.
25% = 25/100 = ¼.
¼ of 80 = 80 ÷ 4 = 20.
Changing between forms
To change a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100: 0.5 = 50%. To change a fraction, first make an equal fraction over 100: ¼ = 25/100 = 25%. Some percentages are worth learning by heart because they appear often: 50% is one half, 25% is one quarter, and 10% is found by dividing the number by 10. These help with everyday sums like a shop discount or a test score out of 100.
Remember
- Percent means 'out of 100'.
- 50% = ½, 25% = ¼, 75% = ¾.
- Percentage of a number: divide by 100, then multiply.