A percent is a ratio out of 100, so 25 percent means 25 out of every 100. That fixed denominator is what makes percentages comparable across quantities of different sizes, and why they convert directly to the decimal 0.25 and the fraction one quarter.
Math Dictionary / Percent
Percent
A percent is a number out of 100.
Number SystemGrade 5Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8GEDSATACT
What it means
Percent means per hundred, so 25% means 25 out of 100.
Also called: percentage
Examples
| 50% = 1/2 |
| 20% of 80 is 16 |
| 0.75 = 75% |
Common mistake
Convert the percent to a decimal before multiplying: 15% = 0.15.
Try one
Question: What is 30% of 50?
Show answer
0.30 x 50 = 15.