Percentages

How to use percentages to compare values and quantify

change. How to recognize, set up, and solve different types
of percentage problems.
 “Percent of”

1) 16 is what percent of 64?

16 is what percent of 64?
% = part/total
Given the part and total and asked to solve for the
Percent of.
Total is next to “of” and Part is next to “is”
First do the division which gives the answer in
decimal form.
16/64 = %
16/64 = .25
Then convert from decimal to percent by moving
the decimal point 2 places to the right or in Excel,
click the % style tool at the top.
16 is 25% of 64
A Word about Rounding
Percents
When solving for a percent, express
any answer greater than 10% rounded
to the nearest percent (whole
number).
Any answer less than 10% should be
rounded to the nearest tenth of a
percent (one decimal place). In Excel,
click the Increase Decimal tool in the
 “Percent of”

2) What is 25% of 64?

What is 25% of 64?
Given the percent and the total and asked to solve
for part.
Same formula, written different way: % * total =
part
Convert the percent to a decimal by moving
the decimal point 2 places to the left before
doing the calculation.

.25*64 = part
16 is 25% of 64
 “Percent of”

3) 16 is 25% of what number?

16 is 25% of what number?

Given the percent and the part and asked to

solve for total.
% * total = part
Set up equation with variable for unknown total
.25*T=16
Divide both sides by .25
T=16/.25
16/.25=64
16 is 25% of 64
 “Percent of”

4) There are 4127 students enrolled at Roosevelt

University and 2691 of them are female, what percent of
the Roosevelt student body is female?
There are 4127 students enrolled at Roosevelt University and
2691 of them are female, what percent of the
Roosevelt student body is female?
% = part/total
Given the part and total and asked to solve for
the Percent of.
2691/4127=% female
2691/4127= .652047
65% of the Roosevelt student body is female.
 “Percent of”

5) In a survey of 900 Chicago residents, Mayor Lori

Lightfoot’s approval rating was 48% in July 2021. How
many people who responded to the survey approved of
the job the mayor was doing?
In a survey of 900 Chicago residents, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s
approval rating was 48% in July 2021. How many people who
responded to the survey approved of the job the mayor
was doing?

Given the percent and the total and asked to solve

for part.
% * total = part
.48*900 = # approved
432 Chicago residents surveyed said they
approved of the mayor’s job performance in July
2021.
 “Percent of”
6) There are 1,830,000 people between the ages of 18
and 65 in the city of Chicago. If this represents 66.7% of
the city’s population, what is the population of the city?
There are 1,830,000 people between the ages of 18
and 65 in the city of Chicago. If this represents 66.7% of the
city’s population, what is the population of the city?
Given the percent and the part and asked to
solve for total
% * total = part
.667*T=1830000
Divide both sides by .667
T=1830000/.667
1830000/.667 = 2743628.186
Round answers appropriately.
There are 2,743,628 people in the city of Chicago.
Absolute Change vs Relative Change“Percent
Change, Percent Increase, Percent Decrease”

1) A number increases from 8 to 10.

a. What is the change?
b. What is the percent change?
A number increases from 8 to 10.
a. What is the change?
Absolute change = new – old
10-8=2
The number increased by 2.
b. What is the percent change?
% change = (new – old)/old
(10-8)/8
(10-8)/8=.25
The number increased by 25%
Absolute Change vs Relative Change“Percent
Change, Percent Increase, Percent Decrease”

2) In 2001 the population of the US was about 284.9 million

people. Twenty year later in 2021, the population had grown to
332.9 million.
a. What is the absolute change in the population from 2001 to 2021?
b. What is the percent change in the population from 2001 to 2021?
In 2001 the population of the US was about 284.9 million people.
Twenty year later in 2021, the population had grown to 332.9 million.
a. What is the absolute change in the population from 2001 to
2021?
Absolute change = new – old
332.9-284.9=48
The population of the US increased by 48 million
people from 2001 to 2021.
b. What is the percent change in the population from 2001 to 2021?
% change = (new – old)/old
(332.9-284.9)/284.9
(332.9-284.9)/284.9=.168
The population of the US increased by about 17%
from 2001 to 2021.
 A Word about wording
answers.
What is the percent change in the population from 2001 to 2021?
Correct, but not informative answer: The percent change is 17%

Better answer: The population of the US increased by about 17%

from 2001 to 2021.

Why is this version better? 1) specifies what changed 2)

indicates whether it was an increase or decrease. “change”
is vague and 3) gives the time period for the change.
Absolute Change vs Relative Change“Percent
Change, Percent Increase, Percent Decrease”

3) According to the EPA, in 1990 Americans

recycled 29.04 million tons of municipal waste. By
2018, 69.09 million tons were recycled. What was
the percent increase in the amount recycled?
3. According to the EPA, in 1990 Americans recycled 29.04 million
tons of municipal waste. By 2018, 69.09 million tons were
recycled. What was the percent increase in the amount
recycled?
“Percent Increase” or “Percent Decrease” = “Percent
Change”
% change = (new – old)/old
(69.09-29.04)/29.04
(69.09-29.04)/29.04=1.379
The amount of recycled waste increased 138% from
1990 to 2018
Percent Increase larger than 100% is ok, but not for
Percent Decrease or for (most) Percent Of answers
Absolute Change vs Relative Change“Percent
Change, Percent Increase, Percent Decrease”

4) On January 10, 2022, the number of new

coronavirus cases was 1,433,977, which is the highest
one-day value for new cases. A few weeks later, on
January 27, 2022, there were 526,893 new cases. What
was the percent change in new cases?
On January 10, 2022, the number of new coronavirus cases was
1,433,977, which is the highest one-day value for new cases. A few
weeks later, on January 27, 2022, there were 526,893 new
cases. What was the percent change in new cases?
% change = (new – old)/old
(526893 -1433977)/ 1433977
(526893 -1433977)/ 1433977 = -.63256 = -63%
Negative Percent Change = Decrease
The number of new coronavirus cases decreased
by 63% from January 10 to January 27, 2022.
Absolute Change and Percent Change
in Percentages

1. A few years ago, Illinois increased the state income

tax rate from 3% of a resident’s taxable income to 5%.
a. What is the absolute change in the percent?
b. What was the percent change in the income tax
rate?
A few years ago, Illinois increased the state income tax rate from 3% of a
resident’s taxable income to 5%
a. What is the absolute change in the percent? Use correct units!
Absolute change = new – old
5-3 = 2
The Illinois tax rate increased 2 percentage points.
Correct units for an absolute change in percentages
is “percentage points”

b. What was the percent change in the income tax rate?

% change = (new – old)/old
(5-3)/3 = 67%
The Illinois income tax rate increased 67%.
Absolute and Relative Difference“Percentage
Higher Than; Percentage Smaller Than”

1) Compare 400 and 448.

a. 448 is how much larger than 400?

b. 448 is what percent larger than 400?

Compare 400 and 448.
a. 448 is how much larger than 400?
“how much larger” = Absolute difference = larger #
- smaller #
448-400=48
448 is 48 more than 400.
b. 448 is what percent larger than 400?
Percent larger than = (larger # - smaller #) /
reference quantity
The reference quantity is the one after “than” in
the problem.
(448-400)/400=.12
448 is 12% larger than 400.
Absolute and Relative Difference“Percentage
Higher Than; Percentage Smaller Than”

2) Jane earned a 95 on her last math test. Joe earned a 78 on the

same test.
a. What is the absolute difference in Jane’s score and Joe’s score? In
other words, Jane’s score is how much higher than Joe’s score?
b. What is the relative difference in their scores? In other words,
Jane’s score is what percent higher than Joe’s score?
Jane earned a 95 on her last math test. Joe earned a 78 on the same test.
a. What is the absolute difference in Jane’s score and Joe’s score? In other
words, Jane’s score is how much higher than Joe’s score?
Absolute difference = larger # - smaller #
95-78 = 17
Jane’s score is 17 points higher than Joe’s score.
b. What is the relative difference in their scores? In other words, Jane’s
score is what percent higher than Joe’s score?
Percent higher than= (larger # - smaller #) /
reference quantity
The reference quantity is the one after “than” in the
problem.
(95-78) / 78 = 22%
Jane's score is 22% higher than Joe's score.
“Percentage Higher (or Greater or More or Larger)
Than; Percentage Smaller (or Less) Than”

3) Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is 655,384 square
miles. Texas is the second largest state at 268,596 square miles.
a. The size of Alaska is what percent larger than the size of Texas?
b. The size of Texas is what percent smaller than the size of Alaska?
Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is 655,384 square miles. Texas is the
second largest state at 268,596 square miles.
a. The size of Alaska is what percent larger than the size of Texas?
Percent larger than= (larger # - smaller #) / reference quantity
(655384 – 268596)/268596 = 144%
Alaska is 144% larger than Texas.

b. The size of Texas is what percent smaller than the size of Alaska?
Same formula for a Percent Smaller Than.
Percent Smaller Than = (larger # - smaller #) / reference
quantity
(655384 – 268596)/ 655384 = 59%
Texas is 59% smaller than Alaska.
For a Percent More Than the reference quantity will be the smaller
number and for Percent Less Than it will be the larger number.
“Percentage Higher Than; Percentage
Smaller Than”
4) In 2019, the life expectancy in Japan was 84.4 years; the life
expectancy in the US was 78.9 years.
a. The life expectancy in Japan was what percent higher
than the life expectancy in the US?
b. The life expectancy in the US was what percent lower
than the life expectancy in Japan?
In 2019, the life expectancy in Japan was 84.4 years; the life expectancy in the US was
78.9 years.
The life expectancy in Japan was what percent higher than life expectancy in
the US?
Percent larger than= (larger # - smaller #) / reference
quantity
(84.4-78.9)/78.9=.0697
The life expectancy of Japan is 7.0% higher than the life
expectancy in the US.
Remember: round small percent to the nearest tenth (and show that
digit, even if it is 0)
The life expectancy in the US was what percent lower than the life expectancy
in Japan?
Percent Smaller Than = (larger # - smaller #) / reference
quantity
(84.4-78.9)/84.4=.06516
Examine the relationship among ratio,
“percent more or less than”, and “percent
of”
Let A = 5 and B = 4
a. What is the ratio of A to B?

b. A is what percent of B?

c. A is what percent more than B?

d. Describe the relationship among the 3 values above:

Let A = 5 and B = 4
a. What is the ratio of A to B?
ratio = A/B = 5/4 = 1.25
A is 1.25 times as large as B

b. A is what percent of B?
percent of = A/B = 5/4 = 1.25 = 125%
A is 125% of B

c. A is what percent more than B?

percent more than = (A-B)/B = (5-4)/4 = .25 = 25%
A is 25% more than B
d. Describe the relationship among the 3 values above:
Ratio = Percent Of (but ratio in decimal form and Percent Of in
percent form)
Percent More Than = Percent Of – 100
Examine the relationship among ratio,
“percent more or less than”, and “percent
of”
Let A = 5 and B = 4
e. What is the ratio of B to A?

f. B is what percent of A?

g. B is what percent less than A?

h. Describe the relationship among the 3 values above:
e. What is the ratio of B to A?
ratio = B/A = 4/5 = .8
B is .8 times as large as A

f. B is what percent of A?
percent of = B/A = 4/5 = .8 = 80%
B is 80% of A

g. B is what percent less than A?

percent less than = (A-B)/A = (5-4)/5 = .20 = 20%
B is 20% less than A
h. Describe the relationship among the 3 values above:
Ratio = Percent Of (but ratio in decimal form and Percent Of in
percent form)
Percent Less Than = 100 – Percent Of
2. A company’s stock increased from $10 per share to $20 per share.
a. Describe the change in price in 4 ways:
The price increased by $10 (absolute change)
The price doubled or The new price is twice as large as
the old price (ratio)
The price increased by 100% (percent change)
The new price is 200% of the old price (percent of)
b. Doubling represents what percent increase?
Doubling = 100% increase
c. If the stock had tripled, what would the percent change have been?
Tripling = 200% increase
“Increase or Decrease by a Percent”

1. Increase 20 by 7%.

2. Decrease 52 by 32%.
1. Increase 20 by 7%.
To Increase by a Percent: Original * (1 +
%change) = New
20*(1+.07)=21.4

2. Decrease 52 by 32%.
To Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 -
%change) = New
52*(1-.32)=35.36
“Increase or Decrease by a Percent”

3) One year, 140 students took the

Quantitative Literacy class. The next year,
the number of students taking the class
increased by 15%. How many students
took the class the second year?
One year, 140 students took the Quantitative
Literacy class. The next year, the number of students taking
the class increased by 15%. How many
students took the class the second year?
Increase by a Percent: Original * (1 +
%change) = New
140*(1+.15)
140*(1+.15) = 161
161 students took Quantitative Literacy
the second year.
“Increase or Decrease by a Percent”

4) On Monday, Oct. 19, 1987, the Dow Jones

Industrial Average plunged by 22.6%. Black
Monday, as the day is now known, marks the
biggest single-day decline in stock market history.
The Dow Jones started the day at 2246. What was
the Dow Jones at the end of the day?
On Monday, Oct. 19, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average
plunged by 22.6%. Black Monday, as the day is now
known, marks the biggest single-day decline in stock market
history. The Dow Jones started the day at 2246.
What was the Dow Jones at the end of the
day?
To Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 -
%change) = New
2246*(1-.226)
2246*(1-.226)=1738
The Dow Jones was 1738 at the end of the Day
on Oct 19, 1987.
 “Successive Percentage
Changes”
1) The price of a winter coat is $120. It is on sale for
20% off. You have a coupon for an additional 10% off.
a. What is the final sale price of the article?
b. How much do you save overall?
c. What is the overall percent savings?
The price of a winter coat is $120. It is on sale for 20%
off. You have a coupon for an additional 10% off.
a. What is the final sale price of the article?
Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 -
%change) = New
120*(1-.20)=96
plug 96 in as the original for the second
decrease by percent
96*(1-.10)=86.4
The Final Sale Price of the coat is $86.40
The price of a winter coat is $120. It is on sale for 20%
off. You have a coupon for an additional 10% off.
The Final Sale Price of the coat is $86.40
c. What is the overall percent savings?
% change = (new – old)/old
(86.40-120)/120= -.28
You save 28% overall.
Note that the overall percent change is not
30%. Adding the percent changes
together does NOT work.
 “Successive Percentage
Changes”
2) In 2015 there were 468 homicides in Chicago. In 2016, this
number surged by 64.7%, but between 2016 and 2017, the
number of homicides dropped 15.6%.
a. How many homicides in Chicago in 2017?
b. What was the overall percent change in the number of
homicides from 2015 to 2017?
2) In 2015 there were 468 homicides in Chicago. In 2016,
this number surged by 64.7%, but between 2016 and
2017, the number of homicides dropped 15.6%.
a. How many homicides in Chicago in 2017?
Increase by a Percent: Original * (1 +
%change) = New
468*(1+.647) = 771
Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 -
%change) = New
plug 771 in for original in second step
771*(1-.156) = 651
There were 651 homicides in Chicago in
2) In 2015 there were 468 homicides in Chicago. In 2016,
this number surged by 64.7%, but between 2016 and
2017, the number of homicides dropped 15.6%.
There were 651 homicides in Chicago in
2017.
b. What was the overall percent change in the number of
homicides from 2015 to 2017?
% change = (new – old)/old
(651-468)/468 = 39%
From 2015 to 2017, the number of
homicides increased 39%
“Successive Percentage Changes
with No Original Value Given”
3) A retail store buys a sofa from the manufacturer and
then marks up the price 70%. During a sale, prices are
discounted 20%. The store makes what percent profit?
A retail store buys a sofa from the manufacturer and then marks up the
price 70%. During a sale, prices are discounted 20%. The store
makes what percent profit?
If no original value is given in a Successive Percent
Change problem, use 100 as the original.
Increase by a Percent: Original * (1 + %change) = New

100 * (1+.70) = 170

Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 - %change) = New
170 * (1-.20) = 136 Price after markup and
discount is 136.
% change = (new – old)/old
(136-100)/100 = 36%
The store makes 36% profit on the sofa.
“Successive Percentage Changes
with No Original Value Given”
4) The price of oil is quite volatile. In one year, the price
decreased by 28%. In the next year, the price increased
by 106%. What was the percent change over the two-
year period?
The price of oil is quite volatile. In one year, the price decreased
by 28%. In the next year, the price increased by 106%.
What was the percent change over the two-year period?
If no original value is given, use 100.
Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 - %change) =
New
100 *(1-.28) = 72
Increase by a Percent: Original * (1 + %change) =
New
72 * (1+1.06) = 148.32
% change = (new – old)/old
(148.2-100)/100 = 48%
The price of oil increased 48% over the two-year
 “Solve for Original”

1) During a 25% off sale, you buy an item for

$22.50. What was the original price of the item?
1. During a 25% off sale, you buy an item for $22.50. What was the
original price of the item?
Given the percent change and the new value and asked to find
the original.
Use the Decrease by Percent formula (since the sale decreases
the original value). Plug in a variable for the unknown
Original.
Decrease by a Percent: Original * (1 - %change) = New
1. Set up equation: P * (1-.25) = 22.5
2. Do the subtraction in parentheses: .75 P = 22.5
3. Divide both sides by .75: P = 22.5/.75 =
30
The original price was $30.00.
You CANNOT increase 22.50 by 25% to get the correct
 “Solve for Original”

2) In 2015 there were 186,000 all-electric cars in

the US. This number is 24% greater than the
number of all electric cars in 2014. How many
electric cars were there in 2014?
In 2015 there were 186,000 all-electric cars in the US.
This number is 24% greater than the number of all electric
cars in 2014. How many electric cars were there in
2014?
Increase by a Percent, but Original is unknown
Original * (1 + %change) = New
1. Set up equation: P * (1+.24) = 186000
2. Do the addition in parentheses: 1.24* P =
186000
3. Divide both sides by 1.24: P = 186000/1.24
P = 150000
There were 150,000 electric cars in 2014.
 “Solve for Original”

3) McDonald’s had a great year. In 2021, the

company’s profits soared 59% from a year earlier,
to $7.5 billion. What were McDonald’s profits in
2020?
McDonald’s had a great year. In 2021, the company’s profits
soared 59% from a year earlier, to $7.5 billion. What
were McDonald’s profits in 2020?
Increase by a Percent, but Original is unknown
Original * (1 + %change) = New
1. Set up equation: P * (1+ .59) = 7.5
2. Do the addition in parentheses: 1.59* P
= 7.5
3. Divide both sides by 1.59: P = 7.5/1.59
P = 4.7
McDonald’s profits were $4.7 billion in
2020.