How to calculate for percentage
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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.