How to calculate percentage from two numbers
Percentage is a concept that we encounter in many aspects of our daily lives, from calculating discounts to measuring progress. In this article, we’ll take a step-by-step approach to understanding how to calculate percentage from two numbers.
Step 1: Understand the concept of percentage
Percentage is essentially a way of expressing one number as a fraction of another number. It is represented by the “%” symbol and typically refers to a proportion out of 100. When talking about percentage, think of it as ‘per hundred,’ meaning for every hundred parts.
Step 2: Identify the two numbers
To calculate the percentage, you’ll need two numbers – the part and the whole. The part represents the portion or segment you want to calculate as a percentage, while the whole represents the total value or amount.
Step 3: Divide the part by the whole
To determine the proportion (which will then be converted to percentage) of these two numbers, divide the part by the whole. This will give you a decimal value.
Example:
Suppose you scored 45 points in an exam with a maximum score of 60 points.
Here, 45 is the part (your score) and 60 is the whole (total possible score).
Now, divide the part (45) by the whole (60): 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75
Step 4: Convert decimal to percentage
Once you have your decimal value, multiply it by 100 to convert it into percentage form.
Continuing with our example:
Multiply your decimal value (0.75) by 100: 0.75 x 100 = 75
Step 5: Add a ‘%’ symbol
Finally, add a “%” symbol to express this number as a percentage value.
In our example, the final percentage calculated would be:
75%
You’ve now successfully calculated the percentage from two numbers! In this case, you scored 75% on your exam.
To summarize, here are the steps for calculating a percentage from two numbers:
1. Understand the concept of percentage
2. Identify the two numbers (part and whole)
3. Divide the part by the whole to get a decimal value
4. Multiply the decimal value by 100 to convert it into a percentage
5. Add a ‘%’ symbol to express the result as a percentage
With this knowledge in hand, you can now easily calculate percentages in various situations. Just remember to be clear about which number represents the part and which represents the whole before starting your calculations. Happy calculating!