what is 48 out of 50 as a percentage

2 min read 27-12-2024

Knowing how to convert fractions to percentages is a valuable skill in many areas of life, from calculating grades to understanding sales discounts. This article will show you exactly how to figure out what 48 out of 50 is as a percentage, and provide you with the tools to tackle similar calculations on your own.

Understanding Percentages

A percentage represents a fraction of 100. The word "percent" literally means "out of one hundred." To express a fraction as a percentage, you need to find out what that fraction would be if the denominator (the bottom number) were 100.

Calculating 48 out of 50 as a Percentage

There are two main ways to calculate this:

Method 1: Using a Proportion

This method uses the concept of equivalent fractions. We set up a proportion:

48/50 = x/100

Where 'x' represents the percentage we're trying to find. To solve for 'x', we cross-multiply:

50x = 4800

Then, divide both sides by 50:

x = 96

Therefore, 48 out of 50 is 96%.

Method 2: Converting to a Decimal, Then a Percentage

This method involves two steps:

Convert the fraction to a decimal: Divide the numerator (48) by the denominator (50): 48 ÷ 50 = 0.96
Convert the decimal to a percentage: Multiply the decimal by 100: 0.96 x 100 = 96%

Again, we find that 48 out of 50 is 96%.

Practical Applications

Understanding percentage calculations is useful in many real-world situations:

Academic Grades: If you scored 48 out of 50 on a test, you achieved a 96% grade.
Sales and Discounts: A store offering a 2% discount means you'd pay 98% of the original price.
Financial Calculations: Percentage changes are crucial in understanding interest rates, investment returns, and more.

How to Calculate Other Percentages

The methods above can be applied to any fraction. Simply replace 48 and 50 with your numerator and denominator, respectively, and follow the same steps.

Conclusion

Calculating percentages is a straightforward process once you understand the underlying principles. As demonstrated, 48 out of 50 represents 96%, a high score, illustrating the simple yet powerful nature of percentage calculations. Now you have the skills to confidently tackle percentage problems in various contexts!