How to calculate percentages of amounts
Percentages are a fundamental concept in everyday life. They represent proportions and are used to express data relating to percentages, ratios, and proportions in real-life situations. This guide will cover various methods of calculating percentages of amounts, allowing you to confidently tackle any problem involving these concepts.
1.Basic Percentage Calculation
To find the percentage of a particular amount, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Take the amount you want to find the percentage for.
Step 2: Divide that amount by the total amount.
Step 3: Multiply the resulting number by 100.
For example, if you wanted to calculate 20% of 50, you would follow these steps:
(20 ÷ 50) x 100 = (0.4) x 100 = 40%
2.Calculating a Percentage of a Specific Amount
To calculate a specific percentage of an amount, follow these steps:
Step 1: Convert the desired percentage into a decimal form by dividing it by 100.
Step 2: Multiply the converted decimal by the total amount.
For example, if you wanted to find out what is 25% of $1,000, our formula would look like this:
(25 ÷ 100) x $1,000 = (0.25) x $1,000 =$250
3.Finding an Original Amount When Given a Percentage and Part Amount
Sometimes you may know only the percentage value and the part amount but need to find out the original amount. Here’s how:
Step 1: Divide the part amount by the given percentage.
Step 2: Multiply the result by 100.
For example, if you know you have saved $500 and this is equal to 20% of your earnings, then our formula would look like this:
($500 ÷ 20) x 100 = ($25) x100 = $2,500
4.Calculating the Percentage Change Between Two Amounts
To calculate the percentage change between two amounts, follow these steps:
Step 1: Subtract the starting amount from the final amount.
Step 2: Divide the result by the starting amount.
Step 3: Multiply the result by 100.
In our example, let’s assume you earned $3,000 this month and had earned $2,500 last month. To find out what percentage your income has increased by:
($3,000 – $2,500) ÷ $2,500 = ($500) ÷ ($2,500) = 0.2 x 100 = 20%
Conclusion
Calculating percentages of amounts can be a crucial skill in various real-life situations. By following these simple formulas presented in this guide, you’ll be able to determine percentages with ease and confidence. Practice regular exercises to improve your skills and apply them when necessary.