percent

Everyday

Out of every hundred; a part of 100. The sign is %. «50 percent» means 50 out of 100, which is a half. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: percentages are fractions with a denominator of 100: 25% = 25/100 = 1/4 = 0.25; 100% is the whole; 10% of 60 is 6. In everyday life: sales («20 percent off»), battery levels, test scores, weather («80 percent chance of rain»). Phrases: «percent of», «a hundred percent» (completely), «percent off».

Examples

• Fifty percent of 20 is 10. tree →
• The shop has 30 percent off all toys. tree →
• My tablet battery is at 15 percent. tree →
• There's a 70 percent chance of rain tomorrow. tree →
• She got 90 percent on the spelling test. tree →
• I'm a hundred percent sure! tree →
• Ten percent of the class walk to school. tree →

Note

Spelled «percent» (US, Canada, Australia often) or «per cent» (UK, Ireland, NZ). Plural stays «percent»: «20 percent», not «20 percents». The noun «percentage» is used without a number: «a large percentage». Maths: to find x% of a number, multiply by x and divide by 100. More than 100% is possible when something grows (e.g. 200% = twice as much). 50% off makes the price half; it does not take away 50 pounds or dollars.