Understanding the Percentage Calculation: What is 5 as a Percentage of 25?

Introduction

Understanding the Concept

The concept of finding what percentage one number is of another is a fundamental aspect of mathematics. This is particularly useful in everyday scenarios such as discounts, taxes, and financial planning. In this article, we will explore a specific example: finding what percentage 5 is of 25.

Calculating the Percentage

The formula to find the percentage of a number involves dividing the part by the whole and then multiplying by 100. In this case, the part is 5 and the whole is 25.

Step-by-step Calculation

Let's break down the calculation using the formula:

Percentage (Part / Whole) times; 100

Part 5 Whole 25

Substituting the values into the formula:

Percentage (5 / 25) times; 100 0.2 times; 100 20%

Therefore, 5 is 20% of 25.

Alternative Methods

Multiplying by 4

An alternative method to find the percentage is by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by 4 to make the denominator equal to 100.

x 5 / 25

By multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 4, we get:

x (5 times; 4) / (25 times; 4) 20 / 100 20%

Percentages and Decimal Conversion

Another approach involves converting the fraction directly into a percentage. Since 25 is equivalent to frac14; or 0.25 as a decimal, we can use this conversion:

5 / 25 1 / 5 times; 5 1

Dividing 1 by 5 gives us 0.2, and multiplying by 100 to convert to a percentage:

0.2 times; 100 20%

The Importance of Decimal Manipulation

In traditional arithmetic, 5times;5times;5 indeed equals 125, but in a different context, such as in percentage calculations, we often use decimals and fractions to simplify the process.

For example, when dealing with the operation 5times;25, instead of directly calculating it, we can use division and multiplication:

5 div; 100 times; 25 1.25

This method can be useful in various scenarios, such as calculating discounts or determining the value of a fraction of a larger whole.

Conclusion

Understanding how to calculate percentages is crucial in both academic and real-world applications. Using the steps outlined above, you can easily find what percentage one number is of another, making it a valuable skill for students and professionals alike.

For more information on related topics, please visit our website.