Are you trying to figure out how to calculate percentages? Whether it’s for an exam, work, or just daily life calculations, knowing how to find the percentage of a number is a valuable skill. This article will guide you through the easy steps required to calculate percentages.

1. Understanding Percentages:

Before diving into calculations, it’s important to understand what a percentage represents. A percentage is a fraction of 100 and is denoted using the ‘%’ symbol. It is used to express quantities as proportions of a whole.

2. The Basic Formula:

The basic formula for calculating percentage is:

Percentage = (part / whole) × 100

Here, ‘part’ represents the portion you’re trying to determine, and ‘whole’ refers to the total amount.

3. Calculating Percentage Increase and Decrease:

To calculate a percentage increase or decrease, use the following formula:

Percentage Change = ((New Value – Old Value) / Old Value) × 100

If the result is positive, it represents an increase in percentage. If negative, it indicates a decrease.

4. Practical Examples:

Example 1: Finding what percentage one number is of another

Suppose we want to determine what percentage 20 is of 80.

Percentage = (20 / 80) × 100 = (0.25) × 100 = 25%

Example 2: Calculating percentage increase

A product’s original price is $100 but was sold at a discounted price of $80.

Percentage Change = (($80 – $100) / $100) × 100 = (-20/100) × 100 = -20%

Since the result is negative, there was a decrease in percentage by 20%.

5. Tips For Calculating Percentages Mentally:

These rounding and approximation tips can help you perform mental calculations with ease:

– When working with 10% or multiples of 10%, divide or multiply by 10.

– To find 1%, divide the number by 100.

– To find 5%, find 10% of the number and divide it by 2.

– Calculate 50% by halving the number.

Conclusion:

Calculating percentages is a useful skill to have in various aspects of life. Understand the basics and practice, and you’ll consistently improve your ability to work with percentages quickly and accurately.