Finding a Percent of a Number
Learn to find a percent of a number by converting percents to decimals or fractions, then multiplying. Practice with real examples like 75% of 20 and 80% of 25.
Key Concepts
Property To find a percent of a number, first convert the percent to a fraction or a decimal. Then, multiply the result by the number you're finding the percentage of.
Examples What is 75% of 20? $n = 0.75 \times 20 = 15$ How many is 80% of 25 questions? $\frac{4}{5} \times 25 = 20$ questions Find 10% of 350 dollars: $0.10 \times 350 \text{ dollars} = 35 \text{ dollars}$.
Explanation Think of 'of' as a secret signal for 'multiply!' To find 80% of 25, just turn 80% into a friendly decimal (0.80) or fraction ($\frac{4}{5}$) and multiply away. It’s a straightforward mission to find a piece of the whole pie!
Common Questions
How do you find a percent of a number in 6th grade math?
To find a percent of a number, first convert the percent to a decimal or fraction, then multiply it by the number. For example, to find 75% of 20, convert 75% to 0.75 and multiply: 0.75 × 20 = 15. Remember, the word 'of' is a signal to multiply!
How do you convert a percent to a decimal to solve a percent problem?
To convert a percent to a decimal, divide the percent by 100 or move the decimal point two places to the left. For example, 80% becomes 0.80 and 10% becomes 0.10. Then multiply that decimal by your number, like 0.10 × 350 dollars = 35 dollars.
Can you use fractions instead of decimals to find a percent of a number?
Yes! You can convert a percent to a fraction and multiply to get the same result. For instance, 80% equals the fraction 4/5, so 80% of 25 questions is solved as 4/5 × 25 = 20 questions. Both methods give the correct answer.
Where does finding a percent of a number appear in Saxon Math Course 1?
This skill is taught in Chapter 5: Number and Operations in Saxon Math, Course 1 for Grade 6. Students learn to apply percent-to-decimal and percent-to-fraction conversions in real-world problems involving money, quantities, and measurements.