what percent of 150 is 12

Natashya

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24-12-2024

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What Percent of 150 is 12? A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding what percent one number is of another is a common math problem. Let's break down how to calculate what percent of 150 is 12. This is useful in many situations, from calculating discounts to understanding proportions in various fields.

Understanding Percentage

Before diving into the calculation, let's quickly review what a percentage represents. A percentage is a fraction out of 100. For instance, 50% means 50 out of 100, or 50/100, which simplifies to 1/2.

Calculating the Percentage

Here's how to determine what percent 12 is of 150:

1. Set up a Proportion:

We can express this problem as a proportion:

12 / 150 = x / 100

Where 'x' represents the percentage we're trying to find.

2. Solve for x:

To solve for 'x', we cross-multiply:

12 * 100 = 150 * x

This simplifies to:

1200 = 150x

3. Isolate x:

Now, divide both sides by 150 to isolate 'x':

x = 1200 / 150

4. Calculate the Result:

x = 8

Therefore, 12 is 8% of 150.

Alternative Method: Using Decimal Conversion

Another way to approach this is by converting the fraction to a decimal and then multiplying by 100:

1. Form the Fraction: Represent the problem as a fraction: 12/150

2. Convert to Decimal: Divide 12 by 150: 12 ÷ 150 = 0.08

3. Convert to Percentage: Multiply the decimal by 100: 0.08 * 100 = 8%

This confirms that 12 is 8% of 150.

Real-World Applications

Understanding percentages is crucial in many daily scenarios:

• Discounts: If an item is discounted by 8%, and the original price was $150, you'd save $12.
• Sales Tax: Calculating the sales tax on a purchase involves percentage calculations.
• Grade Calculations: Many grading systems use percentages to represent scores.
• Data Analysis: Percentages are frequently used to represent proportions within data sets.

Conclusion

Calculating percentages is a fundamental skill with broad applications. We've shown two methods to determine that 12 is 8% of 150 – using proportions or decimal conversion. Mastering these methods will help you confidently tackle similar percentage problems in various contexts. Remember, understanding the underlying principles allows you to easily solve a wide range of percentage-related problems.