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Converting numbers from percentages to decimals is a basic part of math, so it's important to be comfortable with this skill. Working with percentages and decimals is common for calculations that deal with money, but percentages are found everywhere, including nutrition and clothing labels. Learning to convert numbers from percentages to decimal formats is a simple and straightforward process that you can easily get the hang of!
Steps
Using Division
Divide by 100 using a digital calculator. Don't worry about the percentage sign. Simply take your number and divide it by 100.[1]- Use a simple handheld calculator, an online calculator, or a calculator app on a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Drop the percentage symbol when you write your answer. The number you get when you divide by 100 is your answer. When you write it down, do not add the percentage symbol (%) as you have now successfully converted your percentage into a decimal.[2]Advertisement
Relate this to a familiar example like money. Money is a helpful way to think about percentages and decimals because there are 100 cents (or pennies) in a dollar. If you have 75% of a dollar, then you are really saying that you have 75 cents out of a possible 100 cents, which is written like: $0.75.[3]- A percentage is a number written with a percentage symbol (%) after it. When you talk about a percentage, you are really saying “per 100.”
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Moving the Decimal Point
Drop the percentage sign. Before you can move the decimal point, you need to drop the percentage sign.[4]- For 50%, simply drop the % and write “50” on your paper.
- You may have a percentage like 20.5%, where there is a decimal point in your percentage. That's fine! It works the same as a whole number percentage like 20% when you convert it.
Write the decimal point into your number. Before you can move the decimal point, you need to know where it is. The decimal point comes at the end of a whole number, after the digit in the ones place.[5]- If you began with 50%, you will now have “50.0” on your paper.
Move the decimal to the left by two. Finish converting your percentage to a decimal by moving the decimal point over to the left by two. When you write your answer, include one zero on the left side of the decimal point as a place holder.[6]- For example, if your starting value is 50%, you simply drop the percentage symbol. Next, note that the decimal point is to the right of the "0." Finally, move the decimal point two spots over so it is to the left of the "5." Together, all of the steps look like: 50%, 50, 50.0, 0.50.
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Expert Q&A
Tips
- You can take additional classes, work with a tutor, or watch tutorials online to help with your math.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://sciencing.com/divide-percent-using-calculator-7588458.html
- ↑ https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/numerical-data/percentages
- ↑ https://www.thebalance.com/convert-percentages-and-decimals-315231
- ↑ https://www.thebalance.com/convert-percentages-and-decimals-315231
- ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/decimals.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/66934Q4VjkU?t=10
About this article
The easiest way to change a percent to a decimal is to use a calculator and divide your percentage by 100. For example, if you have 75% and divide it by 100, then you get 0.75. Remember to leave out the percentage sign when making this calculation! Alternatively, if you want to change a percent to a decimal without a calculator, first drop the percentage sign and add the decimal point to the end of your number. For example, you would turn 50% into 50.0. Once you have this number, move the decimal point the left two places to get your equivalent decimal. Using the same example, you would move the decimal point in 50.0 to get 0.50. For more help, including how to use money to think about converting percentages to decimals, read on!
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