This article looks at percentages when used in the following 4 scenarios:
- Finding the % of an amount.
- Increasing / decreasing an amount by a %.
- Expressing an amount as a % of another amount.
- Finding a % increase / decrease.
Finding the % of an amount
Perhaps the most basic question you can be asked on percentages. One way is to convert the precentage value into a decimal then working out the result. Here are some examples
Increase / Decrease an Amount by a %
For this type of questions, you need to add a step 3. This is adding the percentage amount to, or subtracting the percentage amount from, the original amount. Some examples below.
Expressing an amount as a % of another amount
The above two types of % questions are the most common questions used. With this one, things start getting a bit challenging. But worry not, use the technique below.
In the previous examples, we could easily work out the percent value by multiplying the numerator and denominator by a number; but what if we cannot work out the percent value. In this case we must
- convert the fraction into a decimal number
- multiply the decimal number by 100 to get the percent value
Find the Percentage Increase / Decrease
Finally, this last scenario looks at the case where you are given two values and are asked to find either the percentage increase or decrease.
This article looks at percentages when used in the following 4 scenarios:
Finding the % of an amount
Perhaps the most basic question you can be asked on percentages. One way is to convert the precentage value into a decimal then working out the result. Here are some examples
Increase / Decrease an Amount by a %
For this type of questions, you need to add a step 3. This is adding the percentage amount to, or subtracting the percentage amount from, the original amount. Some examples below.
Expressing an amount as a % of another amount
The above two types of % questions are the most common questions used. With this one, things start getting a bit challenging. But worry not, use the technique below.
In the previous examples, we could easily work out the percent value by multiplying the numerator and denominator by a number; but what if we cannot work out the percent value. In this case we must
Find the Percentage Increase / Decrease
Finally, this last scenario looks at the case where you are given two values and are asked to find either the percentage increase or decrease.
Nouri Dib