Identification

• A percentage is a fraction of a whole number stated in hundredths. Percentages can be converted to fractions by using the percent amount as the numerator and 100 as the denominator. For example, 25 percent could be represented as 25/100. Percentages can also be represented by decimals as in 0.25 to represent 25 percent. Values of percent can readily be converted to decimals, fractions or ratio equivalents. For example, 50 percent equals 50/100 or 1/2 as a fraction. The same value equals 0.50 as a decimal and 1:2 as a ratio. Following simple rules of mathematics provides these different representations of the same percentage.
  
  

Decimals

• Remembering one simple mathematical rule allows for the correct conversion of a percentage to a decimal: move the decimal two places to the left. For example, 75 percent is understood to have a decimal to the right of the five, as in "75.00 percent." When converting the percentage to a decimal, move the decimal point two places to the right and the result is 0.75, an equal value. The rule works in reverse for conversion of decimals to percentages: move the decimal point two places to the right. Thus, to convert 0.25 to a percentage move the decimal two places to the right, and the result is 25.00 or 25 percent.
  
  

Fractions

• Fractions are another form of writing percentages. For example, 75 percent equals 75/100. To find an equivalent for a percentage in the form of a fraction, divide the given percentage by 100. In some cases, simplification is also possible. The fraction 75/100, which equals 75 percent, can be further simplified into 3/4 or "three-fourths," another term for the same value.
  
  

Ratios

• A ratio is a relationship between two values or numbers that is calculated by using division. Ratios may be expressed as percentages and vice versa. To convert a percentage to a ratio, the percentage should first be converted to a fraction, simplified, then written in the form of "numerator : denominator" as in 1:2. To convert 75 percent to ratio form, divide by 100, as in 75/100; simplify to 3/4, then write as 3:4, where the number 3 was the numerator in the fraction and the number 4 is the denominator.