Percents

Percent of a Number

Find a percent of a number by converting the percent to a fraction and multiplying.

percent-of-number To find p% of a number b: - Convert: p/100 = fraction in lowest terms. - Multiply: b · fraction = part.

Example

Convert the percent to a fraction, then multiply. A percent is just a fraction out of one hundred, so finding a percent of a number means taking that fraction of it. Rewriting the percent as a fraction turns the word 'of' into multiplication, which is why the same procedure works for any percentage of any amount.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Set up

Set up the relationship.

30% of 8030\% \text{ of } 80
30% of 80080

Step 2 — Convert percent

Convert percent: 30 / 100 = 3/10.

30÷100=31030 \div 100 = \hlmath{\frac{3}{10}}
3 of 10 equal parts080

Step 3 — Multiply

Multiply by the rate: 80 x 3/10 = 24.

80×310=2480 \times \frac{3}{10} = \hl{24}
24 of 8008024

Step 4 — Check the bar

Check the bar: 24/80 = 3/10.

2480=310\hlmath{\frac{24}{80}} = \hlmath{\frac{3}{10}}
24 of 8008024

Step 5 — Result

Read the final result.

2424
24 of 8008024