What are percentages? - BBC Bitesize (2024)

• Percentages represent an amount out of 100. This provides a consistent base to compare against when looking at fractional parts. For example, 50%, means 50 out of 100 or \( \frac{50}{100} \). 50% is the same as one half.
• Percentages are often used instead of fractions and decimals. This is because parts of 100 can be easier to understand.

• A percentage is a fraction that is parts out of 100
• A whole is 100%. The percentages that are part of a whole, to 100%
• A percentage is written as a number with the % symbol. The number can be an , , fraction or a decimal.
• A percentage can be represented by shading in a 100 square grid.

1. Add the given percentages.

2. Subtract the result from 100%

3. The difference between 100% and the total given percentage will be the missing percentage.

Remember that the whole is always 100%

A percentage becomes an when it represents a mathematical action.

Finding a percentage of something is a mathematical action. The percentage is an operator. For example, 15% of 100 means work out 15 hundredths of 100

A statistician is someone who works with data. They often use percentages in reports. To ensure accuracy, the total percentage is always 100%

Newspapers and magazines frequently present information in pie charts using percentages, as well as using them in headlines and reports to make a news story stand out. As a reader it is important to know what a percentage is in order to understand the information.