VIDEO: Convert numbers to percent

instagram viewer

Percentages - you should know that

  • Don't be afraid of percentages, because the well-known% symbol is actually just an abbreviation for a proportion or a ratio.
  • For example, 5% only means that you should take 5 pieces out of 100. The abbreviation 5% stands for 5/100 or as a decimal number 0.05.
  • In other words: All percentages are always a numerical ratio, which in the simplest case is related to a value of 100.

Convert numbers to percent - this is how you proceed

However, this simple case, in which the percentage refers to 100 pieces, is not always the case. The basic amount for which you should calculate the percentages is basically arbitrary. An example should explain this:

  • For example, out of a basic set of 65 lightbulbs, 12 are defective. Based on the number "12", you should now calculate what percentage of the basic quantity is defective.
    • Convert grades to percent - this is how you calculate like in the US school grading system

    Would you like to give grades in percent or do the math as in the US school grading system, ...

  • However, you can easily convert 12 to percent if you remember that percentages are always a ratio.
  • So you build from the two Counting the ratio 12/65 and calculate (simply divide on TR) = 0.18. This ratio corresponds to 18%. If you should have difficulties with the conversion at this point, then simply take the calculated ratio with "100" times.
  • With this lightbulb delivery you have to reckon with 18 defective lightbulbs for every 100 delivered lightbulbs.

Percentages enable comparisons - a calculated example

But why are percentages so important? The following example is intended to show this, because when making comparisons, the different basic quantities simply have to be taken into account.

  • Suppose the manufacturer tests a second batch of lightbulbs, but this time takes a larger quantity, for example 1250 lightbulbs. 180 of them are now defective.
  • At first glance, the second batch looks worse, there are simply more lightbulbs defective than the first time. But: The basic amount is of course much larger than the first time.
  • In this case it also helps to calculate what percentage is actually defective.
  • Again you calculate the ratio 180/1250 = 0.144 = 14.4%. Contrary to expectations, the second batch of lightbulbs is better, because it only contains (slightly more than) 14 defective ones for every 100 lightbulbs.
click fraud protection