Introduction
Knowing how to find the percentage of two numbers is a crucial skill for many real-life situations. From calculating discounts to understanding interest rates and investments, percentages are used everywhere. In this article, we will explore a step-by-step guide to finding the percentage of two numbers, real-world problem-solving, formulas and shortcuts, and a storytelling approach to highlight the importance of percentage calculation.
Step-by-Step Guide
A percentage is a way of expressing a relative proportion or rate out of 100. For example, 50% represents 50 out of 100.
Here is a step-by-step guide to finding the percentage of two numbers:
- Convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing it by 100.
- Multiply the decimal by the whole amount.
- Round the answer to the nearest whole number.
- Add the percent sign to the end of the number to show that it represents a percentage.
Real-World Problem-Solving
Let’s say you want to calculate a discount for a product that originally costs $100 and is now discounted by 25%.
- Convert the percentage to a decimal: 25% = 0.25
- Multiply the decimal (0.25) by the whole amount ($100): 0.25 x 100 = 25
- Round the answer to the nearest whole number: 25
- Add the percent sign to the end of the number: 25%
The discount for the product is 25%, or $25 off the original price.
Formulas and Shortcuts
There are common formulas and shortcuts that can make percentage calculation faster and more efficient. Here are some of them:
- Percentage increase formula: ((New Value – Old Value)/Old Value) x 100
- Percentage decrease formula: ((Old Value – New Value)/Old Value) x 100
- Shortcut for calculating 10% of a number: Divide the number by 10, or move the decimal point one place to the left.
- Shortcut for calculating 50% of a number: Divide the number by 2, or move the decimal point one place to the left and subtract the result from the original number.
Let’s say you want to calculate a 20% increase from a starting value of $100.
- Use the percentage increase formula: ((100 x 20)/100) = 20
- Add the increase to the starting value: 100 + 20 = 120
- Add the percent sign to the end of the number: 20%
The new value is $120, which represents a 20% increase from the starting value of $100.
Storytelling Approach
When I was in high school, I had a summer job at a grocery store. One day, a customer came to me with a product that was listed as being 40% off.
As I tried to calculate the discount, I realized that I didn’t know how to convert percentages to decimals. I was embarrassed in front of the customer and had to ask my manager for help.
From that day on, I made sure to practice percentage calculation and familiarize myself with the formulas and shortcuts. Not only did it help me on the job, but it also gave me a sense of confidence and independence.
Video Tutorial
In this video tutorial, we will demonstrate how to find the percentage of two numbers step-by-step:
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Infographic
Check out this visually appealing infographic that presents the steps to finding percentages:
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Conclusion
Knowing how to find the percentage of two numbers is a valuable skill that can be applied to many real-life situations. With this step-by-step guide, real-world problem-solving, formulas and shortcuts, and personal anecdotes, we hope that you feel more confident and equipped to tackle percentage calculations. Remember to practice and continue learning to ensure that you master this important skill.
