Percent to whole number conversion is a skill that makes math tasks easier. This technique is used in many situations and is included in the ACT® WorkKeys Applied Math Test. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps for mastering percent conversion confidently and efficiently. By the end, you’ll have the tools to tackle any related problems and enhance your math skills.

Understanding Percentages

Before we discuss conversions, let’s review what a percentage is. A percentage shows part of a whole. It is often used to describe parts and relationships in an easy-to-understand way.

The symbol for a percentage is “%.” When we say we have 50% of something, it means we have 50 parts out of a total of 100 parts. This shows how much we have compared to the total amount. This understanding of percentages is foundational as we move forward with our conversions.

You might wonder why you need to convert percentages to whole numbers. This skill is helpful in many everyday situations. You can use it to calculate discounts, understand data in reports, and solve math problems on tests.

The Basics of Percent to Whole Number Conversion

The process of converting a percentage to a whole number involves a few straightforward steps. Let’s explore them:

Step 1: Remove the Percentage Sign

The first step is to remove the percentage sign from the number. This simplifies the number and prepares it for conversion.

Step 2: Divide by 100

After you remove the percentage sign, the next step is to divide the number by 100. A percentage is really a fraction, with 100 as its bottom number. In simple words, a percentage shows how much of a whole is based on 100.

For example, let’s look at 75%. To change this percentage into a decimal, you divide 75 by 100. The result is 0.75, which is the decimal form of the percentage. Changing percentages to decimals is a common and helpful method in math.

Step 3: Multiply by the Total or Base Value

To change a decimal into a whole number, you multiply the decimal by the total value or the base number. It will help you find the part of the whole that matches the percentage you wrote as a decimal.

For example, let’s say you need to calculate 75% of a total of 200. In this case, you would take the decimal representation of 75%, which is 0.75, and then multiply it by 200. When you multiply this, you will find that 0.75 multiplied by 200 results in 150. This means that 150 is the part of 200 that represents 75%.

Examples of Percent to Whole Number Conversion

Let’s walk through a few examples to solidify your understanding:

Example 1: Converting 40% to a Whole Number

1. Remove the Percentage Sign: 40
2. Divide by 100: 40 ÷ 100 = 0.4
3. Multiply by the Base Value: If the base value is 300, then 0.4 × 300 = 120

So, 40% of 300 is 120.

Example 2: Converting 25% to a Whole Number

1. Remove the Percentage Sign: 25
2. Divide by 100: 25 ÷ 100 = 0.25
3. Multiply by the Base Value: If the base value is 400, then 0.25 × 400 = 100

Thus, 25% of 400 is 100.

Real-World Applications of Percent to Whole Number Conversion

Knowing percent to whole number conversion is important. It helps in daily life. Here are a few situations where this skill is useful:

Shopping and Discounts

Imagine you are in a store, looking at different products. You see a sign that says “20% off all items.” To find out how much money you will save on a $50 item, you can follow these steps:

1. First, remove the percentage sign from 20%.
2. This gives you the whole number 20.
3. Next, you need to change this percentage into a decimal. To do this, divide 20 by 100. This gives you 0.2.
4. Now, take this decimal number and multiply it by the original price of the item. For example, multiply 0.2 by 50. This gives you 10.

You’ll save $10 on this item.

Exam Scores and Grades

Teachers often use percentages to calculate students’ grades in different subjects. For example, if a student scores 85% on a test that is worth 150 points, you can follow these steps to find the actual score:

1. Remove the percentage sign from the number, leaving you with 85.
2. Convert this number to a decimal by dividing it by 100, which gives you 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85.
3. To find the real score, multiply this decimal by the total points possible on the test: 0.85 times 150 equals 127.5.

So, when you round this to the nearest whole number, the final score would be about 128 points.

Advanced Example: Baking

Let’s try a harder example that you might see on the ACT® WorkKeys Applied Math test.

Suppose you are preparing a batch of homemade cookies for a bake sale. The recipe requires 300 grams of flour. Your measuring cups are in cups. Given the high demand for your cookies, you decide to boost the recipe quantities by 15%. To the nearest tenth of a cup, how many cups of flour should you use for the larger batch?

To find out how many cups of flour you should use for the increased recipe, follow these steps:

1. Calculate the increased quantity of flour: First, determine 15% of 300 grams. 0.15 \times 300 = 45 \text{ grams} . Now, add this to the original amount of flour: 300 + 45 = 345 \text{ grams} .
2. Convert grams to cups: To convert grams of flour to cups, we need to know that 1 cup of all-purpose flour is approximately 120 grams. \frac{345 \text{ grams}}{120 \text{ grams/cup}} \approx 2.875 \text{ cups}
3. Round to the nearest tenth: Rounding 2.875 to the nearest tenth gives you:

Final Answer: For the increased recipe, you should use approximately 2.9 cups of flour to the nearest tenth of a cup.

Conclusion: Percent to Whole Number Conversion

Converting percentages to whole numbers is a useful skill. It helps you understand situations that involve percentages in daily life. You can follow the simple steps in this guide to solve any percentage conversion problem.

Remember, practice is important. The more you work with percentages, the easier it gets. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll convert percentages easily!

Sharpen Your Skills for ACT® WorkKeys Applied Math

Are you preparing for the ACT® WorkKeys Applied Math test? We’ve got you covered! Try our review articles designed to help you confidently tackle real-world math problems. You’ll find everything you need to succeed, from quick tips to detailed strategies. Start exploring now!

• Switching Between Fractions, Decimals, and Percents: What You Need to Know
• How to Convert Decimals to Percentages in a Few Easy Steps
• Calculate Discounts and Markups: Finding the Percentage of a Number
• How to Calculate What Percentage One Number Is of Another

Need help preparing for the ACT® WorkKeys Applied Math Test?

Albert has hundreds of ACT® WorkKeys practice questions and full-length practice tests to try out.