Percentage

Introduction

A percentage is an important concept in mathematics. It is applied in almost every sphere of life. It is a basis for checking the developments in a given period. Moreover, it can also serve as a simplified record to be referred to in the future. Calculating percentage is no rocket science. However, it does help in ascertaining much more important factors.

The concept also helps in statistical data formation. Further, the results found by calculation of percentage help in important decision-making procedures. Also, it serves as a basis for comparison for arriving at important conclusions. It can be applied in several fields.

Percentage: Meaning and Uses

Percentage Meaning: It means calculating the share of a particular unit expressed out of a hundred. The word ‘percent’ is separated into two parts, the parts will be ‘per’ and ‘cent’. It means that the result will be based on a ‘cent’ (a hundred).

The formula to calculate percentage is: (value/total value) × 100

Uses of Percentage

• Performance Calculation: Percentage is calculated to ascertain the performance over time. Organizations calculate yearly percentage changes to ascertain their growth or decline. Students’ marks are calculated as a percentage for understanding the overall performance.

• Simplified Result: A series of data is difficult to interpret but a simplified number is easier to understand. Moreover, for comparing something it should be in the same unit, percentage serves as that unit.

• Illustrations: Percentages can be used as the prime data for making statistical tables and illustrations. They can be used to conclude essential discussions. These can also be incorporated to make one’s point stronger and provide data (evidence) in its support.

Examples

Example 1

If Ramesh had 100 pencils and he sold 55 of them. What percentage of pencils did he sell?

Solution.

Number of pencils= 100

Number of pencils sold= 55

Number of pencils left= (100-55)= 45

Percentage of pencils left= (Number of pencils left/ Total pencils) × 100

(45/100) × 100= 45%

Ans. The percentage of pencils left with Ramesh is 45%.

Example 2

Sarita scored the following marks in her annual examinations for class 6.

English- 76

Mathematics- 82

Science- 75

Environmental Studies- 87

Social Studies- 75

Calculate the total percentage of marks obtained.

Solution.

Total marks obtained by Sarita= 76+82+75+87+75= 395

Total marks that can be obtained= Number of subjects × 100

= 5×100= 500

Percentage of marks obtained by Sarita= (Total marks obtained by Sarita/ Total marks that can be obtained) × 100

= (395/500) × 100 = 79%

Ans. The percentage of total marks obtained by Sarita is 79%.

Example 3

There are 3 balls in a basket. One of them is red, the other two are white. After some time 2 more red balls are added to the basket. What is the percentage of red balls in the basket now?

Solution.

Total number of balls initially= 3

Number of red balls initially= 1

Number of red balls added= 2

The revised total number of balls= 3+2= 5

Total number of red balls = 1+2= 3

Percentage of red balls in the basket= (Total number of red balls/ Total number of balls) × 100

= (3/5) × 100= 60%

Ans. The percentage of red balls in the basket is 60%.

Example 4

A shopkeeper bought 4 bananas for 10 units. He sold them for 15 units. Calculate the percentage of profit he earned from the sale.

Solution.

Price at which the shopkeeper bought the bananas= 10 units

Price at which the shopkeeper sold the bananas= 15 units

Difference in buying and selling price= (15-10) units= 5 units

Percentage of profit earned= (Difference in buying and selling price/ buying price) × 100

= (5/10) × 100= 50%

Ans. The percentage of profit earned by the shopkeeper by selling 4 bananas is 50%.

Example 5

There are 10 students in class 8. Out of them, 6 are boys. If 2 more students join the class and both are girls. What will be the percentage of boys in the class?

Solution.

Initial number of boys in the class= 6

Initial number of girls in the class= (10-6)= 4

Number of girls added= 2

Total number of girls now= 4+2= 6

Total number of students initially= 10

Total number of students after other students joined= 10+2= 12

Percentage of boys in the class= (Total number of boys/ Total number of students after other students joined) × 100

= (6/12) × 100= 50%

Ans. The percentage of boys after 2 more students joined the class is 50%.

Conclusion

The percentage is the expressing something that is considered a part of a whole. The result obtained from the calculation of percentage can be of various uses. The outcome can be used to ascertain the financial performance of an organization during a period. Moreover, students can keep track of their performance. Further, statistical data formation becomes easy when percentages are considered. Keeping the track of performance would be very difficult if the concept of percentage was non-existent.