How to Convert Percent to Decimals

In the previous post, we have learned how to convert decimals to percent. In this post, we learn the opposite of this procedure. We learn how to convert percent to decimals.

If you can remember from the previous post, we convert decimals to percent by multiplying the decimal by 100. So, in this case, we divide percent by 100 in order to get the decimal value. Remember: division is the inverse operation of multiplication.

Example 1

Convert 85% to decimals.

Solution

We divide 85% by 100 which means that we will move two decimal places to the let. Note that the decimal point is on the immediate right of the ones place (in this case 5). So, if we move the decimal point two places to the left, we have .85 or 0.85. Note that we usually add one 0 to the left of the decimal point if there is no whole number.

Answer: 0.85

Example 2

What is 40% in decimal?

Solution

Again, it is a whole number, so the decimal point is at the right of 0. Moving the decimal point two places to the left, we have .40 or 0.40

Answer: 0.40 or 0.4 (0 at the right of the decimal numbers may be omitted)

Example 3

Convert 65.2% to decimal.

Solution

This is not a whole number. We can see the decimal point between 5 and 2. Moving the decimal two places to the left, we end up with .652 or 0.652.

Answer: 0.652

Example 4

Convert 2.5% to decimal.

Solution

There is only one number to the left of the decimal place. But we need to move two places, so, we add 0. That becomes .025 or 0.025

Answer: 0.025

Example 5

What is 124% to decimal.

Solution

This is a whole number, so the decimal point is at the right of 4. Moving the decimal point to the left we have 1.24.

Answer: 1.24

Example 6

What is 0.8% in decimal?

Solution

Moving 2 decimal places to the left, we have .008. So the answer is 0.008.

Answer: 0.008

Example 7

A t-shirt worth P600 has a 15% discount. How much is the discount?

Solution

The equivalent of 15% to decimal is 0.15

Now, 600 × 0.15 = 90

Therefore, the discount is Php90.