Converting Fractions and Decimals to Percentages

To convert a fraction or a decimal to a percentage, multiply the fraction or the decimal by 100.

Example 10.3.1:

Express these fractions as percentages:

(i) \( \frac{1}{5} \)

(ii) \( \frac{125}{400} \)

(iii) \( \frac{2}{5} \)

Solution

(i) \( \frac{1}{5} \\ = \frac{1}{5} \scriptsize \: \times \: 100 \% \\ = \scriptsize 20 \% \)

(ii) \( \frac{125}{400} \\ = \frac{125}{400} \scriptsize \: \times \: 100 \% \\ =\frac{125}{4} \\ = \scriptsize 31.25 \% \)

(iii) \( \frac{2}{5} \\ = \frac{2}{5} \scriptsize \: \times \: 100 \% \\ = \scriptsize 2 \: \times \: 20 \% \\ = \scriptsize 40 \% \)