What is the easiest way to convert percentages?

Mastering Percentage Conversions Made Simple

Converting percentages into decimals and fractions is a handy math skill that pops up everywhere, from calculating discounts while shopping to figuring out your test scores. Once you get the hang of a few basic steps, it becomes second nature.

To turn any percentage into a decimal, all you have to do is divide the number by 100. For instance, taking 18% and moving the decimal point two places to the left gives you 0.18.

Switching that same percentage into a fraction is just as straightforward. Start by writing the percentage over a denominator of 100, which gives you 18/100. From there, you just need to simplify it by finding the greatest common factor for both numbers—in this case, 2. Dividing the top and bottom by 2 leaves you with the final simplified fraction of 9/50.