How to Easily Calculate Percentages

Working out a percentage might feel confusing at first, but it comes down to one simple formula that you can use anywhere, from shopping discounts to your latest school test scores.

To find a percentage, you just need to take the part you want to measure, divide it by the total whole, and then multiply that number by 100.

Imagine you got 18 answers right on a quiz that had 20 questions in total. Your part is 18, and your whole is 20. When you divide 18 by 20, you get 0.9. That final step of multiplying by 100 is what transforms that decimal into an easy-to-read 90 percent.

Without multiplying by 100, you are left with a decimal. While decimals are mathematically correct, they are much harder to compare quickly when you are looking at grades, tips, or sale prices.

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