what is 20 of 425

2 min read 25-12-2024

Finding a percentage of a number is a common task in many areas, from calculating discounts to determining tax amounts. This article will guide you through calculating 20% of 425, explaining the process step-by-step and offering alternative methods.

Understanding Percentages

Before we dive into the calculation, let's briefly review what percentages represent. A percentage is a fraction of 100. For example, 20% means 20 out of 100, or 20/100, which simplifies to 1/5.

Method 1: Converting the Percentage to a Decimal

This is the most common method. To find 20% of 425:

Convert the percentage to a decimal: Divide the percentage by 100. 20% divided by 100 is 0.20 (or simply 0.2).
Multiply the decimal by the number: Multiply 0.2 by 425. 0.2 * 425 = 85

Therefore, 20% of 425 is $\boxed{85}$ .

Method 2: Using Fractions

As mentioned earlier, 20% is equivalent to the fraction 1/5. We can use this fraction to calculate:

Express the percentage as a fraction: 20% = 1/5
Multiply the fraction by the number: Multiply 1/5 by 425. (1/5) * 425 = 425/5
Simplify the fraction: 425 divided by 5 is 85.

Again, we find that 20% of 425 is $\boxed{85}$ .

Method 3: Proportion Method

This method uses a proportion to solve for the unknown value.

Set up a proportion: We can set up a proportion as follows: 20/100 = x/425, where 'x' represents the unknown value (20% of 425).
Cross-multiply: Cross-multiply the terms to get: 100x = 20 * 425
Solve for x: This simplifies to 100x = 8500. Divide both sides by 100 to solve for x: x = 85

Therefore, using the proportion method, we confirm that 20% of 425 is $\boxed{85}$ .

Practical Applications

Understanding how to calculate percentages is crucial in various real-world situations:

Calculating discounts: If an item is 20% off, you can use this method to determine the discount amount.
Determining sales tax: You can calculate the tax amount on a purchase.
Figuring out tips: Easily calculate a tip at a restaurant.
Analyzing data: Percentages are frequently used in data analysis and statistics.

Conclusion

Calculating 20% of 425, whether using decimals, fractions, or proportions, consistently yields the answer of 85. Mastering these methods will equip you with valuable skills for handling various percentage calculations in your daily life.