Home » Math Theory » Decimals » Converting Percent

Converting Percent

What is a percent?

Percent or percentage is a value that denotes the hundredth part of any quantity, which is represented by a percent symbol, %. A percent is also referred to as the ratio or fraction wherein the whole is always equal to 100. It is a dimensionless number – meaning it does not have a unit of measurement.

In essence, percent means for every hundred. Percent originated from the Latin word per centum, which means “by a hundred.”

Like fractions, percent cannot be over 100 as there is no way you have more parts than a whole. Sometimes, percentages that are more than 100% don’t make any sense. Consider using 100% of your effort. That means you’ve given everything you have to offer, and 100% is all the effort you have, no more, no less.

Let’s look at the examples of how percent looks like.

How to convert percent to decimals?

A percent is a ratio with a base of 100. Conversions between percent and decimal are the most obvious and easy process to do. The simplest way to convert percent to decimals is by simply moving two decimal places from right to left.

Percent with whole numbers and decimals

When changing percent with whole numbers to decimal, simply follow the steps below:

1. Remove the percent symbol.
2. Divide the number by 100 or simply move two decimal places from right to left.

Example #1

Convert 15% to decimals

Solution

Example #2

What is 2.3% when converted to decimals?

Solution

Example #3

Find the equivalent of 0.9% in decimals.

Solution

Example #4

Determine the equivalent of 0.88% in decimals.

Solution

Take note not to be caught out by the temptation to always place the decimal point to the left of the digits in the decimal.

Percent with fractions

To convert percent with fractions to decimals, follow the steps below:

1. Remove the percent symbol.
2. If the given fraction is a mixed number, convert to an improper fraction. Otherwise, do step 3.
3. Multiply $\frac{1}{100}$ to the result.
4. Divide the numerator by the denominator.

Example #1

What is the equivalent of $\frac{4}{5}$% in decimals?

Solution

Example #2

Find the equivalent of $10\frac{6}{7}$% in decimals?

Solution

How to convert decimals to percent?

When converting decimals to percent, we multiply the number by 100 or move two decimal places from left to right. However, when converting decimals that mostly have two decimal places (e.g. 0.32), it can be easy to think of just removing the decimal place.

To convert decimals to percent, we simply do the following steps:

1. Multiply the decimals by 100 or move two decimal places from left to right.

Example #1

What is 0.7 in percent?

Solution

Example #2

Convert 0.45 to percent.

Solution

Example #3

Find the equivalent of 0.064 in percent.

Solution

Example #4

What is the equivalent of 0.0013 to percent?

Solution

How to convert percent to fractions?

Percent can be written as fractions as they both represent a part of a whole.

Percent with whole numbers

To convert percent with whole numbers to fractions, follow the steps below:

1. Remove the percent symbol.
2. Write the number on the numerator.
3. Write 100 on the denominator.
4. Simplify, if possible.

Example #1

Convert 10% to fraction.

Solution

Example #2

What is 39% when converted to fraction?

Solution

Example #3

What is the equivalent of 58% in fraction?

Solution

Percent with decimals

To convert percent with decimals to fractions, follow the steps below:

1. Remove the percent symbol.
2. Write the number on the numerator.
3. Write 100 on the denominator.
4. Multiply the numerator by a number to make it a whole number.
5. Multiply the same number on the denominator.
6. Simplify, if possible.

Example #1

Convert 9.8% to fraction.

Solution

Example #2

What is the equivalent of 0.05% to fraction?

Solution

Percent with fractions

To convert percent with fractions and mixed numbers to fractions, follow the steps below:

1. Remove the percent symbol.
2. If the given fraction is a mixed number, convert to improper fraction. Otherwise, do step 3.
3. Multiply the fraction by $\frac{1}{100}$.
4. Simplify, if possible.

Example #1

What is the equivalent of $\frac{3}{4}$% to fraction?

Solution

Example #2

What is $\frac{8}{9}$% when converted to fraction?

Solution

Example #3

Convert $6\frac{2}{5}$% to fractions.

Solution

How to convert fractions to percent?

There are also many situations in language where, for example, stating “approximately one-third” would be more appropriate than stating “approximately 33.3%”. Very often, when expressing a fraction as a percent, you will need to round to a certain number of decimal places. The easiest way to convert from a fraction to a percent is to divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100.

To convert fractions to percent, follow the steps below:

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.
2. Multiply the result by 100.

Example #1

What is the equivalent of $\frac{21}{100}$ to percent?

Solution

Example #2

Convert $\frac{1}{5}$ to percent.

Solution

Example #3

What is the equivalent of $\frac{5}{8}$ to percent?

Solution

Example #4

Find the equivalent of $\frac{2}{3}$ to percent.

Solution

Example #5

Convert $\frac{4}{7}$ to percent.

Solution

Common percentage and its equivalent in fractions and decimals

Memorizing or at least being able to quickly recall the equivalent percent, decimals, and fractions listed below will be of great assistance to students as they tackle problems that require changing between the different types. Quick recall of these will also help in everyday-type-situations such as comparing price discounts. e.g. what is the best deal, one-third off, or 25% off?