Percentage calculations are all around us, be it in school exams, financial situations, or just trying to figure out if you’ve met your fitness goals. Knowing how to calculate the percentage of two numbers can help you better understand and analyze data. In this article, we will discuss how to calculate a percentage of two numbers step by step.

1. Understand the basic concept:

Percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. For example, 50% means 50 out of 100, 25% translates to 25 out of 100, and so on. In mathematics, to find the percentage value, divide the portion (part) by the whole and multiply the result by 100.

2. Identify the part and the whole:

When calculating the percentage, it is important to identify which number represents the part and which one represents the whole. The part is usually smaller or equal to the whole.

For example, if you want to find what percentage of your monthly budget went towards entertainment expenses (part) out of your total budget (whole), you would first identify those two numbers.

3. Perform the calculation:

Now that you’ve identified your part and whole numbers, performing the calculation is straightforward. Use this formula:
Percentage = (Part / Whole) x 100

For example, if your total monthly budget (whole) is $1,000 and you spent $250 (part) on entertainment expenses, you would calculate the percentage as follows:

Percentage = (250 / 1000) x 100

Percentage = 0.25 x 100

Percentage = 25%

So, in this case, you spent 25% of your monthly budget on entertainment expenses.

4. Interpreting percentage change:

In certain situations such as tracking progress or measuring performance improvement, it’s necessary to calculate percentage change. To do this, use the following formula:

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

For example, if your initial investment (Old Value) was $5,000 and its present value (New Value) is $6,500:

Percentage Change = ((6500 – 5000) / 5000) x 100

Percentage Change = (1500 / 5000) x 100

Percentage Change = 0.3 x 100

Percentage Change = 30%

In this case, your investment has increased by 30%.

In conclusion, calculating percentages can be a straightforward process once you understand the basic concept and steps involved. By identifying the part and whole numbers and applying the appropriate formula, you’ll be able to find the percentage of two numbers effortlessly. This skill can prove valuable in many aspects of life, from personal finance to academic pursuits.