How to Find Percentages

Percentages show up in discounts, grades, sports stats, interest, tips, and taxes. A percent is just a fraction out of 100.

Quick idea

To find a percent of a number, convert the percent to a decimal and multiply.

Steps

1. Change the percent to a decimal by moving the decimal point two places left.
2. Multiply the decimal by the whole amount.
3. Label the result with the correct unit.
4. Estimate first when possible to catch unreasonable answers.

Worked example

Find 25 percent of 80.

Full solution

Step-by-step walkthrough

Step 1

Twenty-five percent means 25 out of 100, which is 0.25.

Step 2

Multiply 0.25 by 80.

Step 3

The answer is 20.

Common mistake

A percent is not automatically the answer. You still need to know what number the percent is being taken from.

Practice problems

1. Find 10% of 90.
2. Find 20% of 45.
3. Find 15% of 60.

Answers

1. 9
2. 9
3. 9

Ask Pennpaper to explain it live

If the steps make sense but you still feel stuck, start a Pennpaper lesson and ask the tutor to draw the problem on the whiteboard. Seeing the symbols move step by step is often what makes the concept click.

Related guides

• How to Convert Fractions to Decimals
• How to Solve Percent Word Problems
• How to Solve Proportions