Convert the following percentages to a decimal (to three decimal places): A. 5% B. 11.4% C. 0.5% D. 125%
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert percentages to decimals, you need to divide the percentage by 100. The conversion process involves shifting the decimal point two places to the left. Let’s go through each percentage step-by-step.
A. 5%
- Divide by 100:
5% ÷ 100 = 0.05
So, 5% as a decimal is 0.050 (rounded to three decimal places).
B. 11.4%
- Divide by 100:
11.4% ÷ 100 = 0.114
So, 11.4% as a decimal is 0.114.
C. 0.5%
- Divide by 100:
0.5% ÷ 100 = 0.005
So, 0.5% as a decimal is 0.005.
D. 125%
- Divide by 100:
125% ÷ 100 = 1.25
So, 125% as a decimal is 1.250 (rounded to three decimal places).
Explanation:
The key to converting percentages to decimals is understanding that “percent” means “per hundred,” so you are essentially dividing by 100 to express the value in decimal form. When you do this:
- The percentage 5% is the same as 5 out of 100, which equals 0.05.
- Similarly, 11.4% is the same as 11.4 out of 100, giving 0.114 when converted.
- 0.5% means 0.5 out of 100, which equals 0.005.
- 125% means 125 out of 100, so when you divide it by 100, you get 1.25.
It’s important to round the decimal to three places as needed, which is why we round 125% to 1.250.
By converting percentages into decimals, you can use them in calculations more easily, especially in contexts like finance, statistics, or science where calculations with decimal values are common.
