Convert Fractions to Percents

Divide the top of the fraction by the bottom, multiply by 100 and add a "%" sign.

The simplest method is to use a calculator:

Steps: Divide the top of the fraction by the bottom, Then multiply the result by 100 and read off the answer !

Example: What is ⁵/₈ as a percent?

Get your calculator and type in "5 ÷ 8 =", the calculator should show 0.625, then multiply by 100 and your answer is: 62.5% (remember to put the "%" so people know it is "per 100")

Of course you can do the division in your head or on paper if you don't have a calculator!

Another Method

Percent means "per 100", so try to change the fraction to	?	form
	100

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Find a number you can multiply the bottom of the fraction by to get 100.

Step 2: Multiply both top and bottom of the fraction by that number.

Step 3. Then write down just the top number with the "%" sign.

Example 1: Express ³/₄ as a Percent

Step 1: We can multiply 4 by 25 to become 100
Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by 25:

×25
3	=	75
4		100
×25

Step 3: Write down 75 with the percent sign:

Answer = 75%

Example 2: Express ³/₁₆ as a Percent

Step 1: We have to multiply 16 by 6.25 to become 100
Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by 6.25:

×6.25
3	=	18.75
16		100
×6.25

Step 3: Write down 18.75 with the percentage sign:

Answer = 18.75%

Yet Another Method

Because a percent is actually a ratio (parts per 100) we can also use Proportions to do the conversion.
First, put what you know into this form:

Top of Fraction	=	Percent
Bottom of Fraction		100

Then solve using "multiply across the known corners, divide by the third number":

Example: convert 3/16 to percent

Fill in what you know:

3	=	Percent
16		100

Multiply across the known corners, then divide by the third number. The "known corners" are top left and bottom right:

Percent = (3 × 100) / 16 = 300 / 16 = 18.75%

Answer: 3/16 is 18.75% (just like the previous example!)

Posted in: Convert Fractions to Percents, Fractions