Percent to Decimal

Percent means ‘per 100’. So when we convert a number expressed in percentage to decimal, we divide it by 100. As a result, we shift the decimal point to 2 places to the left, which is exactly the opposite of what we do when we convert a decimal to a percent.

Converting percent to decimal means to express it in decimal form. We can easily turn a percent to a decimal with the help of a calculator or converter. However, we might not have a converter handy.

Steps

So, let us take 3.25% and change it to decimal as illustrated in the figure below with steps.

Figure 1 (heading: Percent to Decimal, filename: Percent to Decimal)

1. Remove the ‘%’ sign.
2. Divide the number by 100. Move the decimal point 2 places to the left.

Applying the above concept, let us turn some random numbers into decimals.

10 percent as a decimal = 0.1

5 percent as a decimal = 0.05

100 percent as a decimal = 1

2.5 percent as a decimal = 0.025

20 percent as a decimal = 0.2

Solved Examples

Write 15 percent as a decimal.

Solution:

Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left
We get 0.15
∴ 15 percent as a decimal = 0.15

convert 46.2% to decimal.

Solution:

Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left
We get 0.462
∴ 46.2  percent as a decimal = 0.462

Change 12 percent as a decimal.

Solution:

Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left
We get 0.12
∴ 12 percent as a decimal = 0.12

Write 45 percent as a decimal.

Solution:

Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left
We get 0.45
∴ 45 percent as a decimal = 0.45

What is 7 percent as a decimal?

Solution:

Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left
We get 0.07
∴ 7 percent as a decimal = 0.07