Math 6A (Periods 2 & 4)

Percents and Fractions 9-1

The word “percent” is derived from the Latin “per centum” meaning “per hundred” or “out of one hundred” so 28% means 28 out of 100

A percent is a ratio that compares a number to 100. Therefore you can write a percent as a fraction with a denominator of 100, so 28% is also 28/100

Our book’s example is as follows;
During basketball season, Alice made 17 out of 25 free throws, while Nina made 7 out of 10. To see who did better, we compare the fractions representing each girl’s successful free throws. 17/25 or 7/10
We have calculated this type of problem before.. this time when we compare fractions use the common denominator 100, even if 100 is not the LCD of the fractions.
17/25 = 68/100 and
7/10 = 70/100

Since Alice makes 68 free throws per 100 and Nina makes 70 per hundred, Nina is the better free throw shooter.
the ratio of a number to 100 is called a percent. We write percents by using the symbol %
so
17/25 =68% and
7/10= 70%

Rule
To express the fraction a/b
as a percent, solve the equation

a/b = n/100

for the variable n and write n%


Express 17/40 as a percent
n/100 = 17/40 multiply both sides by 100 100 ( n/100) = 17(100)/40
n = 17(100)/40 n = 85/2 n= 42½

Therefore, 17/40 = 42 1/2 %


Rule
To express n% as a fraction, write the fraction

n/100 in lowest terms


Express 7 ½ % as a fraction in lowest terms

7 ½ % = 7.5% = 7.5/100 How do we get rid of the decimal?
multiply the numerator and the denominator by 10
7.5(10)/100(10) simplify
Similarly, you could change a mixed numebr into an improper fraction
5 3/8% becomes 43/8 % and to change that to a fraction simple divide by 100
That looks messy but if you remember that to divide by 100 you are actually multiplying by 1/100
(43/8) (1/100) = 43/800 and you are finished with your calculations!! EASY!!

Since a percent is the ratio of a number to 100, we can have percents that are greater than or equal to 100%

1 = 100/100 = 100%

165/100 = 165 %

Write 250% as a mixed number in simple form

250% = 250/100

250/100 = 2 50/100 = 2 1/2

The town of Wonderful spends 42% of its budget on education. What percent is used for other purposes?
the whole budget is represented by 100%. Therefore, the part used for other purposes is

100 - 42 or 58%

Percents and Decimals 9-2

By looking at the following examples, you will be able to see a general relationship between decimals and percents

57% = 57/100
0.79 = 79/100 = 79%
113% = 113/100 = 1 13/100
0.06 = 6/100 = 6%

Rules

To express a percent as a decimal, move the decimal point two places to the left and remove the percent sign

57% = 0.57
113% = 1.13

To express a decimal as a percent, move the decimal point two places to the right and add a percent sign

0.79 = 79%
0.06 = 6%


In 9-1 you learned one method of changing a fraction into a percent. Here is an alternative method

Rule
To express a fraction as a percent, first express the fraction as a decimal
and then as a percent

Express 7/8 as a percent

Divide 7 by 8
7/8 = 0.875 = 87.5%

Express 1/3 as a percent
divide 1 by 3
0.33333….. it’s a repeating decimal
express the decimal as a percent 0.333… = 33 1/3%
so, to the nearest tenth of a percent = 33.3% but it is much more accurate to keep the 1/3 and write 33 1/3%