Fractions, Decimals and Percents

Finding the Percent of a Number

To determine the percent of a number do the following steps:

* Multiply the number by the percent (e.g. 87 * 68 = 5916)
* Divide the answer by 100 (Move decimal point two places to the left) (e.g. 5916/100 = 59.16)
* Round to the desired precision (e.g. 59.16 rounded to the nearest whole number = 59)

Converting a Percent to a Fraction

Do the following steps to convert a percent to a fraction:
For example: Convert 83% to a fraction.

* Remove the Percent sign
* Make a fraction with the percent as the numerator and 100 as the denominator (e.g. 83/100)
* Reduce the fraction if needed


Converting a Decimal to a Percent

Do the following steps to convert a decimal to a percent:
For example: Convert 0.83 to a percent.

* Multiply the decimal by 100 (e.g. 0.83 * 100 = 83)
* Add a percent sign after the answer (e.g. 83%)

Converting a Percent to a Decimal

How to convert a percent to a decimal:
For example: Convert 83% to a decimal.

* Divide the percent by 100 (e.g. 83 ÷ 100 = 0.83)


Comparing Decimals and Fractions

A decimal number and a fractional number can be compared. One number is either greater than, less than or equal to the other number.

When comparing fractional numbers to decimal numbers, convert the fraction to a decimal number by division and compare the decimal numbers.

To compare decimal numbers, start with tenths and then hundredths etc. If one decimal has a higher number in the tenths place then it is larger and the decimal with less tenths is smaller. If the tenths are equal compare the hundredths, then the thousandths etc. until one decimal is larger or there are no more places to compare.

It is often easy to estimate the decimal from a fraction. If this estimated decimal is obviously much larger or smaller than the compared decimal then it is not necessary to precisely convert the fraction to a decimal


Comparing Decimals and Fractions

A decimal number and a fractional number can be compared. One number is either greater than, less than or equal to the other number.

When comparing fractional numbers to decimal numbers, convert the fraction to a decimal number by division and compare the decimal numbers.

If one decimal has a higher number on the left side of the decimal point then it is larger. If the numbers to the left of the decimal point are equal but one decimal has a higher number in the tenths place then it is larger and the decimal with less tenths is smaller. If the tenths are equal compare the hundredths, then the thousandths etc. until one decimal is larger or there are no more places to compare.

It is often easy to estimate the decimal from a fraction. If this estimated decimal is obviously much larger or smaller than the compared decimal then it is not necessary to convert the fraction to a decimal



Comparing Whole Numbers and Fractions

An integer and a fractional number can be compared. One number is either greater than, less than or equal to the other number.

When comparing fractional numbers to whole number, convert the fraction to a decimal number by division and compare the numbers.

To compare decimal numbers to a whole number, start with the integer portion of the numbers. If one is larger then that one is the larger number. If they have the same value, compare tenths and then hundredths etc. If one decimal has a higher number in the tenths place then it is larger and the decimal with less tenths is smaller. If the tenths are equal compare the hundredths, then the thousandths etc. until one decimal is larger or there are no more places to compare.