Calculating with percents is easiest when you convert to decimals first. When you’re done calculating, however, you often need to change your answer from a decimal back to a percent. This is especially true when you’re working with interest rates, taxes, or the likelihood of a big snowfall the night before a big test. All these numbers are most commonly expressed as percents.
To change a decimal to a percent, move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign. If the result is a whole number, you can drop the decimal point.
Sample question
Change 0.6 to a percent.
60%. Move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign:
0.6 = 60%
Practice questions
Convert 0.57 to a percent.
What is 0.3 expressed as a percent?
Change 0.015 to a percent.
Express 2.222 as a percent.
Following are answers to the questions:
57%. Move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign:
0.57 = 057%
At the end, drop the leading zero to get 57%.
30%. Move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign:
0.3 = 030%
At the end, drop the leading zero to get 30%.
1.5%. Move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign:
0.015 = 01.5%
At the end, drop the leading zero to get 1.5%.
222.2%. Move the decimal point two places to the right and attach a percent sign:
2.222 = 222.2%
