Simple Tricks to Change Percents into Decimals for Students
Wondering how to turn a percent into a decimal? Provided the frequency that percents occur, it is very crucial that you understand what a percent is and how you can use percents in performing calculations. Having said that, percent simply means "per one hundred" and is represented as %. Now, to convert a percent into a decimal, you need to divide by 100. This is just similar to moving the decimal point to two places to the left.
How do You Convert a Percent to a Decimal
Wondering how do you change a percent to a decimal? Percent to decimal conversion is not very difficult. That being said, for conversion of percent to decimal number, the percentage must be divided by 100:
1% = 1 / 100 = 0.01
8% = 8/100 = 0.08
10% = 10/100 = 0.1
25% = 25/100 = 0.25
40% = 40/100 = 0.40
50% = 50/100 = 0.5
100% = 100/100 = 1
450% = 450/100 = 4.5
For example, if you would want to convert 18% of GST in terms of decimal, it will be equivalent to the decimal 0.18.
Example on How to Calculate Percentage to Decimal
Example:
Let’s say there are 100 employees hired to work on a construction site. If only 57 are working on the site, then it means 57 per 100 employees showed up. This means 63% of the employees are doing their job.
If we look at this closely, we can observe that the fraction of the employees that
Are performing their job is 57/100, and this fraction can be expressed as 0.57.
57% is the same as 57/100.
57% is the same as 0.57.
Thus the example also shows how decimals, percents, and fractions are closely related and can be used to depict the same information.
How to Turn a Percent Into a Decimal
Divide by 100
Most interest rates are quoted and marketed with respect to a percentage. But if you want to do calculations with the help of those numbers, you’ll require converting them to decimal form. The easiest way to do this is by dividing the number by 100.
Example: To convert 92% to decimal format, divide 92 by 100, and we get:
92 ÷ 100 = .92
Move the Decimal Point to the Left
Another easiest way of converting a quoted percentage to decimal format is by moving the decimal to two places to the left.
If you don’t really see a decimal, just think that it’s at the end, or far right side, of the number. Think that the decimal is followed by two zeroes if that helps (so 92 are 92.00).
Example: To convert 92% to decimal format, move the decimal point before the 9.
92% = .92
After you do this a couple of times, it will become natural, and you’ll be able to do it immediately in your head.
Even with more complex numbers, you would still require to move the decimal to over two places. For better understanding, refer to a few more examples:
100% = 1
250% = 2.5
32.478% = .32478
.7% = .007
Solved Examples
Example:
Convert 0.10% to a fraction.
Solution:
1. Divide the percent by 100 in order to obtain a fraction.
2. Simplify the fraction now
Note: .10% = .010 = 10/1000
= 1/100
Example: Suppose that your bank pays a 2.50% annual percentage generated (APY) on your savings account. How much will you earn over one year (12months) if you deposit Rs. 100?
To determine, we will require converting the interest rate to decimal and multiplying the outcome by the amount of deposit.
2.50 ÷ 100 = .0250
2.50 * Rs. 100 = $2.50
You'll earn Rs. 2.50 per year for every Rs.100 that you deposit.
Fun Facts
Search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing also make it easy to run quick calculations online, using a calculator app.
All you need to do is type the expression you’re trying to solve into the search box and you will get your answer.
FAQs on How to Convert Percents to Decimals
1. What is the main rule for converting percents to decimals?
To convert any percentage to a decimal, you simply divide the percent value by 100. An even quicker way to do this is to move the decimal point two places to the left. For example, to convert 50% to a decimal, you move the decimal point from 50.0 to 0.50.
2. How do you convert 25% to a decimal using an example?
To convert 25% to a decimal, you follow a simple two-step process based on the definition of a percent, which means 'out of 100'.
First, represent the percentage as a fraction: 25% = 25/100.
Next, perform the division: 25 ÷ 100 = 0.25.
Therefore, 25% is equivalent to the decimal 0.25.
3. What is the decimal equivalent for a single-digit percent like 7%?
When converting a single-digit percent like 7%, you still move the decimal point two places to the left. Since 7 is a whole number (7.0), you need to add a zero as a placeholder. So, 7% becomes 0.07. The common mistake is writing 0.7, which is incorrect as that represents 70%.
4. How do you convert a percentage that already includes a decimal, such as 8.5%?
The rule remains the same even if the percentage has a decimal. You move the decimal point two places to the left from its current position. For 8.5%, you would move the decimal from between the 8 and 5. This gives you 0.085. The process does not change, you just need to be careful about the starting position of the decimal point.
5. Why does dividing by 100 correctly convert a percent into a decimal?
This method works because the term “per cent” literally means “per hundred” or “out of 100.” Therefore, any percentage, say X%, is just another way of writing the fraction X/100. The decimal number system is based on powers of 10, so dividing a number by 100 is mathematically equivalent to shifting its decimal point two places to the left. This provides a direct and accurate way to switch from the percentage representation to the decimal representation of the same value.
6. What is the importance of converting percents to decimals in real-world calculations?
Converting percents to decimals is crucial for performing most mathematical operations, especially multiplication and division. You cannot directly multiply a number by a percentage value in its percent form. You must first convert it to a decimal or a fraction. Real-world examples where this is important include:
Calculating Discounts: To find a 20% discount on an item costing ₹500, you calculate 0.20 × 500 = ₹100.
Finding Interest: To calculate 5% annual interest on a savings of ₹10,000, you compute 0.05 × 10,000 = ₹500.
Figuring out a Tip: To leave an 18% tip on a bill of ₹1,200, you would calculate 0.18 × 1200 = ₹216.
7. What is the difference between writing a value as a percent versus a decimal?
While a percent and its equivalent decimal represent the same value, they are used for different purposes.
A percent (like 75%) is used to express a proportion or ratio in an easily understandable way, as it always relates a number to 100. It's great for comparison and communication.
A decimal (like 0.75) is the format required for performing mathematical calculations like multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction with that value. It is the functional form used in equations.
In essence, a percent is for communicating a proportion, while a decimal is for calculating with it.
