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How to Convert Proportion to Percentile

Proportions are used to make comparisons between two groups. Proportions, or ratios, are written by using the word "to," or by using a colon. Fractions are also ratios, meaning they can be easily converted to percentages through division. Percentages show how much of the whole is accounted for, with the whole considered 100 percent. This means that the quotient of a ratio times 100 will equal the percentage of the whole. When a proportion is converted to a percentage, it is often called a percentile or percentile rank because it demonstrates what portion of a particular group shows a certain characteristic.

Instructions

- 1
  Divide the first number of the ratio by the second number. This is typically dividing the smaller number by the larger number, but in some cases the larger number will be first. A calculator or scratch paper may be necessary to perform this math, depending on the numbers in the ratio and your math skills.
- 2
  Multiply the quotient by 100. Again, use a calculator or scratch paper if necessary.
- 3
  Add a percent sign to the product of the quotient and 100. This is the percentage that was represented by the ratio. You can also refer to it as the percentile when ranking items, because it is showing that at least this percentage of items in the group had the particular characteristic.

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