Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages - EdexcelConverting percentages to decimals and fractions
Fractions, decimals and percentages are frequently used in everyday life. Knowing how to convert between them improves general number work and problem solving skills.
To convert from a percentageA proportion representing parts per hundred, for example 9% is 9 out of 100, or 9/100., first convert it to a decimalA number that uses powers of 10 as place value. In the example of 0.82, the 8 represents tenths and the 2 represents hundredths. and then convert the decimal to a fraction if required.
Example
Convert 24% to a decimal and a fraction.
24% = 0.24 (2 tenths and 4 hundredths)
Hundreds
Tens
Units
.
Tenths
Hundredths
Thousandths
0
.
2
4
Hundreds
Tens
Units
0
.
.
Tenths
2
Hundredths
4
Thousandths
0.24 as a fraction is \(\frac{24}{100}\) which simplifyA fraction is simplified when there are no more common factors shared by the numerator and denominator. For example, the fraction 8/10 simplifies to 4/5 by dividing the numerator and denominator by the common factor of 2. to \(\frac{6}{25}\) (simplified by removing a common factor of 4).
Key conversions
There are some important fraction/decimal/percentage conversions that you should know.