What is a Percentage?
A percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. It is often denoted using the percent sign, “%”. For example, 45% (read as “forty-five percent”) is equal to 45/100, or 0.45.
Percentages are widely used in daily life to calculate discounts, tips in restaurants, interest rates, tax calculations, and interpreting statistics. They provide a standard way of expressing proportions, making it easier to compare different quantities.
Common Percentage Formulas
1. What is X% of Y?
Example: 20% of 150 = (20 / 100) × 150 = 30
2. X is what percent of Y?
Example: 45 is what percent of 90? = (45 / 90) × 100 = 50%
3. Percentage Change (Increase/Decrease)
Example: Price goes from $40 to $50. Change = ((50 - 40) / 40) × 100 = +25% (Increase)
Real-World Examples
Tip Calculation
If your restaurant bill is $85 and you want to leave a 15% tip:
Tip = 15% of $85 = $12.75.
Total to pay = $85 + $12.75 = $97.75.
Discount Calculation
A jacket originally costs $120 and is on a 25% discount.
Discount = 25% of $120 = $30.
Final Price = $120 - $30 = $90.