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Maths · Number Without a Calculator

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Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Converting between the three forms, finding percentages by hand, and solving percentage change and reverse percentage problems.

  • 10 key terms
  • All boards

Learning Objectives

  1. 1Convert between fractions, decimals and percentages, including common equivalents.
  2. 2Find a percentage of an amount without a calculator.
  3. 3Increase and decrease by a percentage using a multiplier, and calculate a percentage change.
  4. 4Solve reverse percentage problems to find an original value.

Per cent means out of 100

A percentage is a fraction with a denominator of 100, so 35% means \(\frac{35}{100}\), which is also 0.35. On a non-calculator paper you are expected to move between the three forms confidently and to find percentages mentally by splitting them into 10%, 5% and 1% chunks. Percentages are also the most common context for real-life questions on both tiers.

Equivalents to know without working them out

These come up so often that recalling them saves time and avoids errors.

  • Halves and quarters

    \(\frac{1}{2} = 0.5 = 50\%\), \(\frac{1}{4} = 0.25 = 25\%\) and \(\frac{3}{4} = 0.75 = 75\%\).

  • Fifths and tenths

    \(\frac{1}{5} = 0.2 = 20\%\) and \(\frac{1}{10} = 0.1 = 10\%\). Multiply for the others: \(\frac{3}{5} = 60\%\).

  • Eighths

    \(\frac{1}{8} = 0.125 = 12.5\%\), so \(\frac{3}{8} = 37.5\%\) and \(\frac{5}{8} = 62.5\%\).

  • Thirds

    \(\frac{1}{3} = 0.333\ldots = 33\frac{1}{3}\%\) and \(\frac{2}{3} = 66\frac{2}{3}\%\). Thirds are recurring, so keep them as fractions where you can.

Percentage of an amount without a calculator

Build any percentage out of 10%, 5% and 1%.

  • 10% first

    Divide by 10. 10% of £240 is £24. Then 20% is double, 30% is triple, and 5% is half of 10%.

  • Build the percentage

    \(35\%\) of £240 is \(30\% + 5\% = £72 + £12 = £84\).

  • Use a multiplier

    \(15\%\) of 80 is \(0.15 \times 80 = 12\). The multiplier is the percentage divided by 100.

  • Use a fraction

    Where you know the equivalent, use it: 25% of 60 is \(\frac{1}{4} \times 60 = 15\).

An awkward percentage

Work out 17.5% of £640 without a calculator.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Find 10% \(640 \div 10 = 64\).
  2. 2 Find 5% Half of 10%: \(64 \div 2 = 32\).
  3. 3 Find 2.5% Half of 5%: \(32 \div 2 = 16\).
  4. 4 Add \(17.5\% = 10\% + 5\% + 2.5\% = 64 + 32 + 16 = £112\).

Answer£112

Percentage change

Increasing or decreasing by a percentage is one multiplication when you use a multiplier.

  • Multiplier for an increase

    Add the percentage to 100% and divide by 100. An increase of 12% has multiplier \(1.12\).

  • Multiplier for a decrease

    Subtract the percentage from 100% and divide by 100. A decrease of 8% has multiplier \(0.92\).

  • Percentage change

    Use \(\frac{\text{change}}{\text{original}} \times 100\). A rise from £40 to £47 is \(\frac{7}{40} \times 100 = 17.5\%\).

  • Always divide by the original

    The percentage change is measured against the starting value, not the new one.

Increasing by a percentage

A television costs £480 before VAT. VAT of 20% is added. Work out the total price.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Find 20% \(10\% = £48\), so \(20\% = £96\).
  2. 2 Add it on \(£480 + £96 = £576\).
  3. 3 Or use a multiplier \(480 \times 1.2 = 576\), which gives the same answer.

Answer£576

Finding the original price

In a sale all prices are reduced by 25%. A coat costs £63 in the sale. Work out the original price.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Decide what £63 represents A 25% reduction leaves 75% of the original, so \(75\% = £63\).
  2. 2 Find 25% \(63 \div 3 = 21\), so \(25\% = £21\).
  3. 3 Find 100% \(4 \times 21 = £84\). Check: 25% of 84 is 21 and \(84 - 21 = 63\).

Answer£84

Increase by 20% or undo a 20% increase?

Increase by 20%

  • Multiplier is 1.2
  • Multiply the original by 1.2
  • Used when you know the starting amount

Reverse a 20% increase

  • The same multiplier 1.2 is used, but the other way
  • Divide the new amount by 1.2
  • Used when you are given the final amount

Terminating and recurring decimals

Some fractions give decimals that stop, and some give decimals that go on for ever.

  • Terminating

    A terminating decimal ends, such as \(\dfrac{3}{8} = 0.375\). A fraction in its simplest form terminates only if its denominator has no prime factors other than 2 and 5.

  • Recurring

    A recurring decimal repeats for ever, shown with a dot over the repeating digit: \(\dfrac{1}{3} = 0.333\ldots = 0.\dot{3}\).

  • Converting by division

    Divide the numerator by the denominator, adding zeros after the decimal point as you need them. \(3 \div 8 = 0.375\).

  • Which is which?

    \(\dfrac{7}{20}\) terminates because \(20 = 2^2 \times 5\), but \(\dfrac{1}{6}\) recurs because 6 has the prime factor 3.

Converting a fraction to a decimal

Write \(\dfrac{5}{8}\) as a decimal without a calculator.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Set up the division \(5 \div 8\) written as \(5.000 \div 8\).
  2. 2 Divide step by step \(50 \div 8 = 6\) remainder 2, so the first digit is 6. \(20 \div 8 = 2\) remainder 4, so the next digit is 2. \(40 \div 8 = 5\), so the last digit is 5.
  3. 3 Write the answer \(0.625\).
  4. 4 Or use a known fact \(\dfrac{1}{8} = 0.125\), so \(\dfrac{5}{8} = 5 \times 0.125 = 0.625\).

Answer0.625

One quantity as a percentage of another

To say what percentage one quantity is of another, write it as a fraction of the second quantity first.

  • Method

    Divide the first quantity by the second, then multiply by 100. 36 out of 80 is \(\dfrac{36}{80} = 0.45 = 45\%\).

  • Same units

    Convert first. 45 cm out of 2 m is 45 out of 200, which is 22.5%.

  • Comparing

    Percentages make different totals comparable, such as 36 out of 45 (80%) against 29 out of 40 (72.5%).

  • Over 100%

    A percentage can be above 100%. 30 out of 20 is 150%.

Comparing test results with percentages

Sam scored 36 out of 45 in a test. Tia scored 29 out of 40 in a different test. Who did better?

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Sam as a percentage \(\dfrac{36}{45} = \dfrac{4}{5} = 80\%\).
  2. 2 Tia as a percentage \(\dfrac{29}{40} = 0.725 = 72.5\%\).
  3. 3 Compare 80% is bigger than 72.5%, so Sam did better.

AnswerSam

Simple interest

Simple interest is the same amount added every year, calculated on the original amount only.

  • The idea

    The interest is not recalculated on the growing total, so it is the same every year.

  • Method

    Find the interest for one year, then multiply by the number of years. 3% of \(\pounds 2000\) is \(\pounds 60\) each year, so after 4 years the interest is \(\pounds 240\).

  • Total

    Add the interest to the original amount: \(\pounds 2000 + \pounds 240 = \pounds 2240\).

  • Not the same as compound interest

    With compound interest the interest itself earns interest, so the amount grows faster.

A simple interest problem

Anna invests \(\pounds 800\) for 3 years at \(4\%\) simple interest per year. Work out the total amount at the end of 3 years.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Find 1% \(800 \div 100 = 8\).
  2. 2 Find 4% \(4 \times 8 = \pounds 32\) interest each year.
  3. 3 Multiply by the years \(3 \times 32 = \pounds 96\).
  4. 4 Add to the original \(800 + 96 = \pounds 896\).

Answer\(\pounds 896\)

Test yourself

  1. 1

    Write \(\dfrac{7}{20}\) as a percentage.

    Show answerHide answer

    35%, because \(\dfrac{7}{20} = \dfrac{35}{100}\).

  2. 2

    Find 10% of \(\pounds 35\).

    Show answerHide answer

    \(\pounds 3.50\).

  3. 3

    What is the multiplier for a 15% increase?

    Show answerHide answer

    1.15.

  4. 4

    Write \(0.\dot{3}\) as a fraction.

    Show answerHide answer

    \(\dfrac{1}{3}\).

  5. 5

    Increase 80 by 25%.

    Show answerHide answer

    100, because 25% of 80 is 20.

Exam technique: percentage questions

Most of the marks on percentage questions are for choosing the right calculation.

  • Build percentages from 10%

    Write "10% = ..." on its own line. It gives a clear method mark and helps you check.

  • Use the original amount

    Percentage change is always the change divided by the original value, not the new value.

  • Reverse percentages

    If you are given the value after a change, do not simply subtract the percentage. Find 1% or divide by the multiplier.

  • Include units

    Money answers need a pound sign and two decimal places where there are pence.

Summary and exam focus

  • Percentage, decimal and fraction are three ways to write the same number, so learn the common equivalents.
  • Build percentages from 10%, 5% and 1% or use a multiplier.
  • Increase with a multiplier above 1 and decrease with a multiplier below 1.
  • Percentage change is the change divided by the original, multiplied by 100.
  • For reverse percentages, the amount you are given is the percentage after the change, so find 1% and scale up, or divide by the multiplier.

Exam focus

In a sale, the normal price of a bike is reduced by 30%. The sale price is £56. Work out the normal price. (3 marks) (3 marks)

Write down what the sale price is as a percentage (70%) before doing any arithmetic. Candidates who take 30% of £56 and add it on lose all three marks, because 56 is not the original amount.

Key terms

The words this lesson expects you to use. Each one is linked from the first place it appears above.

Recurring decimal
A decimal with one or more digits that repeat for ever, shown with a dot above them.
Percentage
A number written as a fraction of 100, using the symbol %.
Per cent
Out of every hundred.
Equivalent
Having the same value but written in a different form.
Multiplier
The number you multiply by to apply a percentage change, such as 1.2 for a 20% increase.
Percentage increase
A rise in a quantity written as a percentage of its original value.
Percentage decrease
A fall in a quantity written as a percentage of its original value.
Percentage change
The change divided by the original amount, multiplied by 100.
Reverse percentage
A problem where you are given the value after a change and must find the original.
Original value
The amount before a percentage increase or decrease is applied.

Questions and answers

17 questions set on this lesson, with the mark schemes and model answers open.

1. Exam question Write 2 marks Easier

Write \(0.08\) as a fraction in its simplest form.

Mark scheme — 2 marks available

  • \(\dfrac{8}{100}\) — M1
  • \(\dfrac{2}{25}\) — A1

Model answer

\(0.08 = \dfrac{8}{100}\). Dividing the top and bottom by 4 gives \(\dfrac{2}{25}\).

2. Exam question Work out 3 marks Core

Work out \(45\%\) of \(\pounds 620\).

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Finds 10% (£62) or 5% (£31) — M1
  • Adds correct parts, such as 248 + 31 — M1
  • \(\pounds 279\) — A1

Model answer

\(10\% = 62\), so \(40\% = 248\). \(5\% = 31\). Then \(45\% = 248 + 31 = \pounds 279\).

3. Exam question Work out 3 marks Core

A restaurant bill is \(\pounds 84\) before a service charge. A service charge of \(12.5\%\) is added to the bill. Work out the total amount to pay.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Finds 12.5% of 84, such as \(84 \div 8\), or 10% + 2.5% — M1
  • \(84 + 10.50\) — M1
  • \(\pounds 94.50\) — A1

Model answer

\(12.5\% = \dfrac{1}{8}\), and \(84 \div 8 = 10.50\). The total is \(84 + 10.50 = \pounds 94.50\).

4. Exam question Work out 3 marks Core

Increase \(\pounds 350\) by \(14\%\).

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Finds 10% (£35) and 1% (£3.50), or 14% as 49 — M1
  • \(350 + 49\) or \(350 \times 1.14\) — M1
  • \(\pounds 399\) — A1

Model answer

\(10\% = 35\) and \(4\% = 14\), so \(14\% = 49\). The new amount is \(350 + 49 = \pounds 399\).

5. Exam question Work out 3 marks Core

The price of a jacket is reduced from \(\pounds 64\) to \(\pounds 48\) in a sale. Work out the percentage reduction.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • \(64 - 48 = 16\) — M1
  • \(\dfrac{16}{64} \times 100\) or \(\dfrac{1}{4}\) — M1
  • 25% — A1

Model answer

The reduction is \(64 - 48 = \pounds 16\). \(\dfrac{16}{64} = \dfrac{1}{4} = 25\%\).

6. Exam question Work out 3 marks Stretch

Priya invests some money for one year at \(4\%\) interest. At the end of the year she has \(\pounds 1560\). Work out how much she invested.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Recognises that £1560 is 104% of the original — M1
  • \(1560 \div 104 = 15\) or \(1560 \div 1.04\) — M1
  • \(\pounds 1500\) — A1

Model answer

After a \(4\%\) increase, the amount is \(104\%\) of the original. \(104\% = 1560\), so \(1\% = 15\) and \(100\% = \pounds 1500\).

7. Exam question Explain 3 marks Stretch

Dev says, ‘If I increase an amount by \(10\%\) and then decrease the result by \(10\%\), I will end up with the amount I started with.’ Is Dev correct? You must show how you decide.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Chooses a starting amount and applies a 10% increase correctly — M1
  • Applies a 10% decrease to the new amount, not the original — M1
  • No, with a correct comparison such as £198 and £200 — A1

Model answer

No. Take \(\pounds 200\) as an example. A \(10\%\) increase gives \(200 + 20 = 220\). A \(10\%\) decrease of \(220\) is \(22\), giving \(220 - 22 = \pounds 198\), which is not \(\pounds 200\). The second percentage is taken of a bigger number.

8. Multiple choice 1 mark Stretch

Which of these fractions is a recurring decimal?

  1. A \(\dfrac{7}{20}\)
  2. B \(\dfrac{1}{6}\) Correct
  3. C \(\dfrac{9}{25}\)
  4. D \(\dfrac{3}{8}\)

Why: 6 has the prime factor 3, so \(\dfrac{1}{6} = 0.1\dot{6}\) recurs. The others have denominators with only the prime factors 2 and 5.

9. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

£500 is invested for 4 years at 3% simple interest per year. How much interest is earned in total?

  1. A £62.75
  2. B £15
  3. C £60 Correct
  4. D £560

Why: 3% of £500 is £15 a year, and \(15 \times 4 = £60\).

10. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Write 0.035 as a percentage.

  1. A 350%
  2. B 3.5% Correct
  3. C 0.35%
  4. D 35%

Why: Multiply by 100: \(0.035 \times 100 = 3.5\%\).

11. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Write \(\dfrac{3}{8}\) as a percentage.

  1. A 3.8%
  2. B 38%
  3. C 0.375%
  4. D 37.5% Correct

Why: \(3 \div 8 = 0.375\), and \(0.375 \times 100 = 37.5\%\).

12. Multiple choice 1 mark Easier

What is 15% of 60?

  1. A 15
  2. B 6
  3. C 9 Correct
  4. D 90

Why: 10% is 6 and 5% is 3, so 15% is 9.

13. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

What is the multiplier for a decrease of 8%?

  1. A 8
  2. B 0.92 Correct
  3. C 1.08
  4. D 0.08

Why: 100% − 8% = 92%, which is 0.92.

14. Multiple choice 1 mark Easier

Increase £60 by 25%.

  1. A £15
  2. B £75 Correct
  3. C £240
  4. D £85

Why: 25% of 60 is 15, and 60 + 15 = 75.

15. Multiple choice 1 mark Stretch

After a 20% decrease, a price is £48. What was the original price?

  1. A £57.60
  2. B £60 Correct
  3. C £96
  4. D £38.40

Why: The sale price is 80% of the original, so the original is 48 ÷ 0.8 = £60.

16. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

A price rises from 40 to 50. What is the percentage increase?

  1. A 25% Correct
  2. B 20%
  3. C 80%
  4. D 10%

Why: The change is 10, and \(\dfrac{10}{40} \times 100 = 25\%\). It is divided by the original, not the new price.

17. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Write 12.5% as a fraction in its simplest form.

  1. A \(\dfrac{1}{8}\) Correct
  2. B \(\dfrac{1}{12}\)
  3. C \(\dfrac{1}{5}\)
  4. D \(\dfrac{5}{8}\)

Why: \(12.5\% = \dfrac{12.5}{100} = \dfrac{1}{8}\).