Word Problems & Strategy: Percentages (Beginner)

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A. Percentages

The word percent is a fraction whose denominator is 100. 26% is equivalent to the fraction 26/100. To change a decimal number to a percent, we simply multiply by 100%:

0.32 × 100% = 32%

If a percentage is given, move the decimal two places to the left to express its equivalent decimal form. The number 0.321 is equivalent to 32.1%.

You can convert a fraction to a decimal by just moving the decimal point two spaces over:
34% = .34 = 34/100.

Correspondingly, when you multiply something by a percentage, move the decimal point two spaces to the left.

500 × 20% = 500 × 20 = 10,000, then move the decimal two to left to 100%
(of course you could have quickly realized that 20% = 1/5 and solved in your head to get 100.)


10% multiplication trick:

To get 10% of anything, simply slide the decimal point over by 1.
3456 × 10% = 345.6

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Contents of Word Problems Chapter: Table of Contents Chapter 1: Word Problems & Strategies   Chapter 2: 5-Step Method   Chapter 3: Functions & Symbols   Chapter 4: Progressions & Sequences   Chapter 5: Percentages   Chapter 6: Interest, Discount & Markups   Chapter 7: Ratio & Proportion   Chapter 8: Uniform Motion   Chapter 9: Work & Rate   Chapter 10: Grouping & Counting   Chapter 11: Data Interpretation   Chapter 12: Averages & Mean   Interest, Discount & Markups

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