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CHAPTER 3

PERCENTAGES

 Percent  means hundredths (a fraction with 100 as denominator).

 %  means rate per hundred, from the Latin word, “per centum” meaning by the
hundred; that is, a certain part of every hundred.

 25% means 25 out of every hundred or 25/100

A. Changing Percent to Decimal

To change percent to decimal, drop the % sign and move the decimal point two places
to the left.

Example:

5% = 0.05

B. Changing Percent to Fraction

To change percent to fraction, drop the % sign, divide the percent quantity by 100 and
then reduce to lowest term when possible.

Example:

5% =

 Fractional Percent

C. Changing Decimal to Percent

To change decimal to percent, move the decimal point two places to the right (or
multiply by 100) and put the % sign.

Example:

0.1 = 1 %

D. Changing Fraction to Percent

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To change fraction to percent, divide the numerator by the denominator to obtain the
decimal form and then change the decimal form to percent.
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Example:

* Terminologies:

 Rate  the number of hundredths taken (%)

 Base  the number on which the percentage is computed
 Percentage  the number which is a certain no. of hundredths of the base.

Case 1. To find the percentage:

P = BR

Example: What is 35% of 480?

P = 480 (0.35) = 168

Case 2. To find the Base:

Example: 520 is 80% of what number?

Case 3. To find the Rate:

Example: 72 is what part of 144?

Case 4. To find the amount or difference that is a certain fractional part of percent greater
than (or smaller than) the given no’s.

Example:

1. What number is ¾ greater than 32?

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Solution: Let N = the number

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2. How much is less than 144?

Solution: N = 144 (1 – 0.625) = 144 (0.375) = 54

Case 5. To find the whole or base number that is a fractional part or percent greater than
(or smaller than) that which is missing.

Example:

1. 480 is 20% less than what number?

N = 480 ÷ (1 – 0.20) = 480 ÷ 0.80 = 600

2. 45% more than what amount is 810?

N = 810 ÷ (1 + 0.45) = 810 ÷ 1.45 = 558.62