Write the decimal as a percent. 0.487 = | %
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The decimal 0.487 is equal to 48.7%.
To convert a decimal to a percent, multiply it by 100. This is because “percent” means “per hundred,” so you are expressing how many parts out of 100 a number represents. Here’s how this conversion works step by step:
Start with the decimal: 0.487
Multiply by 100: 0.487 × 100 = 48.7
Attach the percent symbol: The result is 48.7%
This transformation makes it easier to understand the magnitude of the number in practical situations. For example, saying “48.7% of students passed the exam” immediately signals how close that is to half the class, which gives a clearer sense of scale than the raw decimal form.
Now consider a real-world example. Suppose a store advertises a 0.487 discount on every dollar of merchandise. That might feel abstract. But if it’s described as a 48.7% discount, the impact is much easier to visualize. You immediately understand that nearly half the price is knocked off. This illustrates why converting decimals to percentages is not only mathematically sound but often essential for everyday communication.
Another benefit of expressing numbers in percent form is that it standardizes values for easy comparison. Imagine comparing the humidity levels of different cities: 0.487 versus 0.623 may not be intuitive, but 48.7% versus 62.3% is far more informative at a glance.
In academic settings, particularly in math and science, working seamlessly between decimals, fractions, and percentages helps in interpreting data, solving problems, and making decisions based on proportions. So converting 0.487 to 48.7% is a small but vital step in mastering numerical literacy.
