What is X% of Y?
X is what percent of Y?
Percentage Increase/Decrease
Frequently Asked Questions About Percentages
What is a percentage?
A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. The word "percent" comes from the Latin "per centum," meaning "per hundred." For example, 25% means 25 out of 100, or 25/100, which equals 0.25 as a decimal.
How do you calculate a percentage?
To find a percentage of a number: Multiply the number by the percentage and divide by 100. For example, 20% of 50 = (20 × 50) ÷ 100 = 10.
To find what percentage one number is of another: Divide the first number by the second, then multiply by 100. For example, 15 is what % of 60? (15 ÷ 60) × 100 = 25%.
To calculate percentage change: Find the difference between old and new values, divide by the old value, then multiply by 100.
Why are percentages important in daily life?
Financial decisions: Understanding interest rates, loan terms, discounts, and investment returns.
Shopping & savings: Calculating discounts, sales tax, tips, and comparing deals.
Academic & professional: Grades, statistics, data analysis, and performance metrics.
Health & fitness: Body fat percentage, nutrition labels, and tracking progress.
Business: Profit margins, growth rates, market share, and financial planning.