Percentage: Meaning, Formula, Calculation, Examples and Uses

Have you ever come across a discount on 50% sale or have you ever taken a look at your examination results only to see that your score is 85%? These are just some of the many instances where we find percentages.

A percentage is basically the value of a number as compared to 100. It is very convenient for comparing numbers. We use percentages when dealing with marks, discounts, sports, surveys, finance, and in numerous other ways.

This article explains all about percentages, how to calculate percentages, converting percentages into fractions and decimals, and uses of percentages in real-life applications.

Table of Contents

• What is Percentage?
• Percentage for Class 5
• How to Find Percentage
• Different Forms of Percentage
• Conversion of Percentages
• Understanding Whole, Half and Quarter
• How to Find Percentage of a Number
• Percent and Percentage: Is There a Difference?
• Where Are Percentages Used?

What is Percentage?

A percentage is a number expressed out of 100. The word "percent" means "per hundred" and is represented by the symbol (%).

For example:

• 10% means 10 out of 100.

• 50% means 50 out of 100.

• 75% means 75 out of 100.

• 100% means the whole quantity.

Let's understand this with a simple example.

Suppose a student scores 80 marks out of 100 in a test. Instead of saying "80 out of 100", we can simply say the student scored 80%.

 

Percentage for Class 5

Percentage is an interesting topic introduced in Class 5 Maths. It helps students understand parts of a whole and compare quantities easily.

• 25% means one-fourth.

• 50% means one-half.

• 75% means three-fourths.

• 100% means the complete quantity.

For example, if 50 out of 100 students are present in a class, we can say that 50% of the students are present.

How to Find Percentage

Finding a percentage is easy when you know the total value.

Use this formula: Percentage = (Part ÷ Whole) × 100

Example: A student scores 45 marks out of 60.

Percentage = (45 ÷ 60) × 100

= 75%

Therefore, the student scored 75%.

Different Forms of Percentage

A percentage can be written in three forms:

Percentage: 20%

Fraction: 20/100 = 1/5

Decimal: 0.20

All three forms represent the same value.

Conversion of Percentages

Percentage to Fraction

To convert a percentage into a fraction, divide it by 100.

Example:

44%

= 44/100

= 11/25

Percentage to Decimal

To convert a percentage into a decimal, divide it by 100.

Example:

74%

= 74/100

= 0.74

Decimal to Percentage

To convert a decimal into a percentage, multiply it by 100.

Example:

0.72 × 100

= 72%

Understanding Whole, Half and Quarter

Some percentages are used very often in daily life.

Whole: 100% (A whole object or quantity represents 100%)

Half: 50% (Half of a quantity is equal to 50%)

Example:

Half of 20 apples = 10 apples

Quarter: 25% (One-fourth of a quantity is equal to 25%)

Example:

One-fourth of 40 chocolates = 10 chocolates

How to Find Percentage of a Number

To find the percentage of a number:

Step 1: Convert the percentage into a fraction.

Step 2: Multiply the fraction by the given number.

Example:

Find 10% of 80.

10%

= 10/100

10/100 × 80

= 8

Therefore, 10% of 80 is 8.

Percent and Percentage: Is There a Difference?

The words "percent" and "percentage" are often used together, but they are slightly different.

Percent is usually used with a number.

Example: 60 percent of the students attended the event.

Percentage refers to the value obtained after a calculation.

Example: A student scored a percentage of 85% in the examination.

Where Are Percentages Used?

Exam Results: Schools use percentages to show marks and grades.

Shopping: Discounts are usually shown as percentages.

For example, a 20% discount means you pay less than the original price.

Banking: Interest rates on savings accounts and loans are expressed as percentages.

Sports: Batting averages, win rates, and performance statistics are often shown using percentages.

Surveys: Survey results are easier to understand when expressed as percentages.