EDEXCEL GCSE FOUNDATION MATHS - What are Percentages of Amounts

Edexcel GCSE Foundation Maths: Percentages of Amounts

What are Percentages?

A percentage is a way of representing a part of a whole as a fraction of 100. The symbol '%' means 'out of one hundred'.

Finding a Percentage of an Amount

There are a few different methods you can use to find a percentage of an amount:

Method 1: Using a Fraction

1. Convert the percentage to a fraction: Divide the percentage by 100.
2. Example: 25% = 25/100 = 1/4
3. Multiply the fraction by the amount:
4. Example: Find 25% of 80. (1/4) * 80 = 20

Method 2: Using a Decimal

1. Convert the percentage to a decimal: Divide the percentage by 100.
2. Example: 25% = 25 / 100 = 0.25
3. Multiply the decimal by the amount:
4. Example: Find 25% of 80. 0.25 * 80 = 20

Method 3: Using a Calculator

1. Enter the percentage: 25
2. Press the % button: %
3. Multiply by the amount: * 80
4. Press the equals button: =

Example:

Find 15% of 60.

Method 1 (Fraction):

1. 15% = 15/100 = 3/20
2. (3/20) * 60 = 9

Method 2 (Decimal):

1. 15% = 15/100 = 0.15
2. 0.15 * 60 = 9

Method 3 (Calculator):

1. 15 % * 60 = 9

Therefore, 15% of 60 is 9.

Practice Problems:

1. Find 10% of 50.
2. Calculate 20% of 120.
3. What is 35% of 80?

Key Points

• Percentages represent parts of a whole.
• You can calculate percentages using fractions, decimals, or a calculator.
• Practice using different methods to become comfortable with percentage calculations.