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Fractions

Percentages

The word "percent" is actually the join of the words "per cent", meaning "out of a hundred". For example,

This can be read as 35 percent is equal to 35 hundredths.

To convert a fraction to a percentage, first convert it to a decimal and then multiply the decimal by 100. For example,

Some fractions convert to repeating decimals. It is usual to round the percentage to an appropriate number of significant figures. For example

One third is approximately 33%.

Another method, which is used less often, is to multiply the fraction by 100% to obtain the percentage. Of course, the answer is still the same, but expressed as a fraction rather than a decimal.

Exercise

Convert these fractions to a percentage.

The reverse process of converting a percentage to a fraction involves first division by 100 and where possible reducing.

Exercise

Convert each percentage to the simplest fraction possible.

<< Operations with Mixed Numbers | Fractions Index | Inequality >>