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Introduction to Percentages
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A percentage tells us what part of a whole something is. The following video will explain what percentages mean and where they come from.

Introduction to Percentages

Video Source (05:35 mins) | Transcript

Percent literally means “out of 100,” or “compared to 100.” Percentages are written with the % symbol. If we have half of something it is the same as 50% because 50 is half of 100.

The practice problems in this section use the concept “out of 100” to help you visualize what is happening when we add or subtract a percentage from another amount. We will go into this in more detail in the next few mini-lessons.

Additional Resources

Practice Problems

  1. What does a percent mean? (
    Solution
    x
    Solution:
    Out of 100.
    )
  2. If an item purchased at a store costs $1 and has a sales tax rate of 6%, what will be the total amount paid for the item? (
    Video Solution
    x
    Solution: \($1.06\)
    Details:

    (Video Source | Transcript)
    )
  3. If a tire store is having a sale for 10% off any tire, and you purchase a tire that normally costs $100, what is the sale price of the tire after the 10% is taken off? (
    Solution
    x
    Solution: $90
    Details:
    \(100\%\) represents the original price of the tire.
    This is the picture of a round circle that is all the same color. In the top left corner is says, “One hundred percent original price of the tire.” This means that the original price of the tire is 100%.

    Since the tire is \(10\%\) off, we can subtract \(10\%\) from \(100\%\). \(100\% − 10\% = 90\%\);
    This is the picture of a round circle like the circle in the previous image except this time there is a pie shaped wedge of the circle colored a different color. This wedge is not very big compared to the rest of the circle. To the left of this wedge is a line with the words, “Discount 10%.” The rest of the circle also has a line pointing out to the right which says, “Tire 90%.”

    so we will be paying \(90\%\) of the original price.
    Since the original price is \($100\), we can follow the same pattern \($100 - $10 = $90\).
    )
  4. If you earn 20% commission for any sale you make, and you sell $100 worth of product, how much will you earn for that sale? (
    Video Solution
    x
    Solution: $20
    Details:

    (Video Source | Transcript)
    )
  5. If you earn $100 and pay tithing at a rate of 10%, how much money will you pay in tithing? (
    Solution
    x
    Solution: $10
    Details:
    \(100\%\) represents your earnings. Tithing is \(10\%\) of what you earned; if you earn \($100\), then you would pay \($10\). In this situation the \(90\% = $90\) of your earnings and \(10\% = $10\) for tithing.

    This 10 by 10 grid holds 100 squares, the blue represents tithing \(10\%\), and the \(90\%\) represents the earning after tithing.
    The image has a grid or large square with 100 small squares inside, 10 squares going down and 10 going across. A column of 10 squares is shaded in blue on the left side, with the word 10% written above the column. The rest of the unshaded squares have the word 90% written across the top.
    )

    Need More Help?

    1. Study other Math Lessons in the Resource Center.
    2. Visit the Online Tutoring Resources in the Resource Center.
    3. Contact your Instructor.
    4. If you still need help, Schedule a Tutor.
    Dividing by a Decimal
    Converting Between Decimals and Percentages