How to Convert Percentages as a Decimal and Mixed Number

Convert to a Decimal

• 1

  Write down the percentage. For example, you could write 85%.

• 2

  Move the decimal two places to the left. If you don't see a decimal, assume that the decimal is located after the farthest number to the right. In this example, you would move the decimal from the right of the number 5 to the left of the 8: .85%.

• 3

  Drop the percentage sign. For instance, 85% would become .85 or 0.85. Another example would be converting 175% to 1.75.

Converting to a Mixed Number

• 4

  Write down the percentage. In order to have a mixed number the percentage must be greater than 100 percent. You could use the figure 175%, for example.

• 5

  Write the percentage as a numerator (top number) in a fraction. Write the number 100 as the denominator (bottom number). Drop the percent sign. For instance, 175 percent would become 175/100.

• 6

  Divide the numerator by the denominator, which is 100. State the remainder as a numerator of a fraction with 100 as the denominator. In this example, you would divide 175 by 100 to get 1 with 75/100 left over.

• 7

  Simplify the mixed number if possible by dividing the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor. The greatest common factor is a term that describes the largest number that will fit into both parts of the fraction. In this example, you would divide 75 and 100 by 25 to get 3/4. Therefore your final answer would be 1 3/4.