Convert Percents to Decimals

Move the decimal point 2 places to the left and remove the "%" sign

Converting From Percent to Decimal

Percent means "per 100", so 50% means 50 per 100, or simply 50100

When we divide 50 by 100 we get 0.5 (a decimal number).

So, to convert from percent to decimal: divide by 100, and remove the "%" sign.

Example: A 50% discount:

A store offers a 50% discount on an $80 item.

To calculate the discount in dollars, convert 50% to a decimal by dividing 50 by 100, which equals 0.5

Then 0.5 × $80 = $40

The Easy Way

The easy way to divide by 100 is to move the decimal point 2 places to the left, so:

From Percent		To Decimal
move the decimal point 2 places to the left, and remove the "%" sign

This works because moving the decimal two places left is the same as dividing by 100.