Converting Decimals & Percents

To convert between decimals and percents move the decimal point

(exactly!) 2 places.

By Jim Olsen, W.I.U.#P2

Percent to Decimal• Per means ‘divided by’• Cent means 100• Percent means ‘divided by 100’• To convert a percent to a decimal, divide by 100,

which means to move the decimal point two places to the left and drop the percent sign.

8%

8% = 8.% = .08

70% 70% = 70.% = .70 = .7

More Examples

2.4% = 2.4% = .024160% = 160.% = 1.6123.456% = 1.23456.12% = .0012700% = 7

Decimal to Percent• This is the reverse process, so go the other way.• To convert a decimal to a percent, move the

decimal point two places to the right and put on the percent sign.

.83 = 83%

Decimal to Percent Examples • .09 = 9.% = 9%

• .6 = 60.% = 60%

• .375 = 37.5%

• .0008 = .08%

• 4.567 = 456.7%• 2 = 200%

.007(a percent less than 1%)

• .007 = .7% = 0.7%

71000

1.6(a percent bigger than 100%)

• 1.6 = 160.% = 160%

Closing Notes Remember

Percent means divided by 100, so to convert a percent to a

decimal divide by 100 and drop the percent sign, which means you need to move the decimal

point 2 places to the left.

#P2