Question

Write each decimal number as a percent. $$1.2$$

Short answer

Question: Convert the decimal number 1.2 into a percentage. Answer: 120%

Step-by-step solution

Multiply the decimal number by 100

In order to convert the decimal number $$1.2$$ into a percent, first, we need to multiply it by 100: $$1.2 \times 100 = 120$$

Add the percent sign

Now that we have the result of the multiplication, we simply add the percent sign to our answer. The final answer is: $$120 \%$$ Thus, the decimal number $$1.2$$ is equal to $$120 \%$$.

Key concepts

Multiply by 100

When you're converting a decimal number to a percentage, the first fundamental step involves multiplication. Specifically, you'll need to multiply the decimal by 100. But why 100? Well, the concept of percentages is all about parts per hundred. By multiplying the decimal number by 100, you essentially find out how many parts out of 100 there are. For instance, if you have a decimal like 1.2, multiplying it by 100 gives you 120. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for converting a decimal into a percentage. Don't stress too much about the multiplication itself.

• Just move the decimal point two places to the right. That's equivalent to multiplying by 100.
• This can often be easier to visualize, especially for decimals.

Once you get the hang of this method, you'll find converting decimals to percentages a breeze!

Percent Sign

The percent sign (%) is a small but mighty symbol that communicates a lot with just one character. After you've multiplied your decimal by 100, the next step is to add this sign to indicate that you've now expressed a number as a percentage. Think of the percent sign as a label that tells others "this number is out of 100." So, in our example, after multiplying 1.2 by 100 to get 120, adding the percent sign turns 120 into 120%. It conveys that 120 parts out of 100 have been identified, which often means a whole plus some extra. The percent sign is the final touch in your conversion process.

• It solidifies that what was once a decimal has been transformed into a percentage.
• It makes it clear for everyone reading the number.

Whether you're a student or an aspiring mathematician, understanding and using the percent sign correctly is essential.

Decimal Number

Decimals are important numerical expressions used to represent values that are not whole. They are composed of a whole number part and a fractional part separated by a decimal point. Understanding how decimals fit into other numerical systems, like percentages, is crucial. They act like bridge numbers between whole numbers and fractions or percentages. In our example, the decimal 1.2 is somewhere between 1 and 2 and represents 1 whole unit plus 0.2 of another. Decimals are frequently used in daily life.

• They can indicate exact amounts, such as when dealing with currency.
• They reflect measurements in metric systems.

Grasping the concept of decimal numbers is vital, as it forms the basis of converting and understanding percentage math.

Percent Conversion Steps

Converting a decimal to a percentage can feel challenging at first, but it becomes simple once you learn the steps. The percent conversion process only involves two straightforward steps. Here's a breakdown of what you need to do:

• First, multiply your decimal number by 100. This changes the scale to a whole-number representation out of 100.
• Second, append the percent sign (%) to the result, marking it as a percentage.

Let's consider our earlier example: Starting with the decimal 1.2, you multiply by 100 to switch it to 120. Then, you add the percent sign, resulting in 120%. These two steps allow for a seamless transformation of any decimal number into its percentage form.

If you practice these conversions regularly, they'll become second nature.