Percent of a Number

If we want to find the percent of a number, we

change the percent to a decimal (divide by 100)
change the word "of" to multiply

Try these...

We can also find a fraction of a number in the same way, since we can change a fraction to a decimal!

For Example, 3/5 of 20

do 3 divided by 5 to change the fraction to a decimal 3/5 = 0.6
change the word OF to multiply
0.6 x 20 = 12

Another way to think about this question is to do a "mathier" way...

Multiplying fractions means

top x top, and bottom x bottom.
any regular whole number, like 42 is really a fraction with 1 on the bottom.
so 3/7 x 42/1
multiply the tops 3 x 42 =126
multiply the bottoms 7 x 1 = 7
126/7 means 126 divided by 7 = 18

Longer, harder, and more to remember to do to get the right answer:)

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