What is a Percentage in Math?

PER CENT

Per cent means per hundred or for every hundred. When the denominator of a fraction is 100, we call it a percentage.

Suppose,

Robert gets 65 per cent marks in a monthly Test. It means he gets 65 marks for every hundred.

Again, if Anthony saves 35% of his salary, it means he saves $ 35 per hundred

The symbol for per cent is %.

For example: $\frac{17}{100}$ = 17%

$\frac{33}{100}$ = 33%

Definition of Percentage Video

Subscribe to our ▶️ YouTube channel 🔴 for the latest videos, updates, and tips.

A fraction with denominator 100 is called percentage and is denoted by the symbol %.

In our daily life, we see a lot of statements with numbers followed by a symbol %. A number followed by % is called a percentage or percent. The term percent comes from the Latin phrase per centum, meaning by the hundred. Percentage is another way of expressing a part of a whole.

One hundred percent of a quantity is $\frac{100}{100}$ of it, for example if 40 students are enrolled in a class and all 40 are present on a particular day, then 100% of the class is present.

The word percent means per hundred or for every hundred. Thus, Clara got 83 marks out of 100 means; she got 83 percent marks.

Conversely, when a student scored 67 percent marks that means; the student scored 67 marks out of 100.

The symbol of percent is %.

Thus, 15 percent will be written as 15%

7/100 means 7%.

Conversely, 9% means 9/100.

On the status bar of our computer 100% indicates that the battery is fully charged. Let us illustrate this by assuming that a battery is made up of 100 small cells and each cell of the battery is represented by an equal part on a square sheet. The shaded region in the following figures shows the percentage of charge in a battery.

$100 %$

$20%$

$70%$

So, we can say that percentage represents parts her hundred. Percentage is a fraction with 100 as its denominator.

Thus, 7% means 7 out of 100 = $\frac{7}{100}$

85% means 85 out of 100 = $\frac{85}{100}$

For example:

(i) 20/100 = 20%

[It is read as 20 percent]

(ii) 15/100 = 15%

[It is read as 15 percent]

(iii) 5/100 = 5%

[It is read as 5 percent]

(iv) 71/100 = 71%

[It is read as 71 percent]

(v) 89/100 = 89%

[It is read as 89 percent]

What is Percentage in Math? Short Video

To understand it more clearly, let us consider an example.

1. David secured 475 marks out of 500 and Jessica secured 392 marks out of 400. Who secured better marks and by what per cent?

Solution:

We can compare their marks by expressing them in per cent.

David got 475 marks out of 500.

475 marks out of 500 = $\frac{475}{500}$ marks

= $\frac{475 ÷ 5}{500 ÷ 5}$

(We divide the numerator and the denominator both by 5 to make the denominator 100)

= $\frac{95}{100}$

= 95 x $\frac{1}{100}$

= 95%

So, David secured 95 marks per hundred or 95% marks.

Jessica got 392 marks out of 400.

392 marks out of 400 = $\frac{392}{400}$ marks

= $\frac{392 ÷ 4}{400 ÷ 4}$

(We divide the numerator and the denominator both by 4 to make the denominator 100)

= $\frac{98}{100}$

= 98 x $\frac{1}{100}$

= 98%

So, Jessica secured 98 marks per hundred or 98% marks.

Now, it is clear that Jessica secured better marks. She secured 2% more marks than David.

You might like these

Worksheet on Preparing a Bill | Calculation of Total Amount of a Bill
In this worksheet on Preparing a Bill you will get the different types of questions on money bill, bill and find the total amount of a bill, check the bill for its correctness, present a correct bill and find the errors and correct them.
5th Grade Money Bills | Concept of the Bill | Preparation of a Bill
In 5th Grade Money Bills we will learn the concept of the bill, preparation of a bill and calculation of the total amount of a bill. In our daily life, we receive many types of bills like Electricity Bill, Telephone Bill, Water Bill, etc. The shopkeeper also gives us a bill
What is Bills in Maths? |Use of Bill | Format of a Blank Bill |Billing
We will learn about bills and billing of different items. Sometime we go to market to buy various items like potatoes, fruits, vegetables, clothes etc. in different quantity. The shopkeeper
Worksheet on Conversion of Temperature | Temperature Worksheets | Ans
We will practice the questions given in the worksheet on conversion of temperature from one scale into another. We know the two different temperature scales are the Fahrenheit scale and the
Worksheet on Temperature |Celsius to Fahrenheit, Fahrenheit to Celsius
In the worksheet on temperature we will solve 10 different types of questions.1. Which is colder 32°F or 0°C? 2. Water boils at ...°C and freezes at ....°F.
5th Grade Temperature | Fahrenheit Scale | Celsius Scale | Thermometer
We will discuss here about the concept of temperature. We have already learned about various types of measurements like length, mass capacity and time. But if we have fever, non of these measurements
Converting the Temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius | Examples
In converting the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius the formula is, C = (5/9)(F - 32); The steps of converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius are reversed here.
Converting the Temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit | Examples
In converting the temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit the formula is F = (9/5)C + 32. Steps of converting from Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F)
Word Problems on Simple Interest | Simple Interest Formula | Worksheet
Word Problems on Simple Interest are solved here: 1. Robert deposits $ 3000 in State Bank of India for 3 year which earn him an interest of 8%.What is the amount
Worksheet on Simple Interest | Word problem on Simple Interest | Free
In worksheet on simple interest we will get different types of question on calculating the simple interest, the principal amount, the rate of interest and the word problems on simple interest.