How to Find Percent of a Number

Find Percent of a Number With Step-by-Step Guidance

To find percent of a number, change the percent to a decimal or fraction and then multiply. For example, to find 20% of 50, convert 20% to 0.20 and multiply: \large 0.20 \times 50 = 10

Learning how to find percent of a number is an important math skill used in everyday life. You use percents when working with discounts, sales tax, tips, grades, and many other practical math problems. In this tutorial, we’ll show you a clear step-by-step method for solving percent problems and walk through examples to help you understand the process.

Before solving these problems, it helps to remember what the word percent means. The word percent means per 100. So:

\large 25\%=\frac{25}{100}=0.25

Once you understand that, finding percent of a number becomes much easier.

Steps to Find Percent of a Number

1. Write the percent as a decimal or fraction.
2. Set up multiplication.
3. Multiply.
4. Simplify your answer if needed.

Example 1: Find 7% of 25

Let’s solve the following percent problem:

\large 7\% \text{ of } 25

Step 1: Write the percent as a decimal.

Change 7% to a decimal by dividing by 100:

\large 7\% = 0.07

Step 2: Multiply by the number.

Now multiply:

\large 0.07 \times 25 = 1.75

Final Answer:

\large 7\% \text{ of } 25 = 1.75

Example 2: Find 9% of 40

Now let’s solve another example:

\large 9\% \text{ of } 40

Step 1: Change 9% to a decimal.

\large 9\% = 0.09

Step 2: Multiply by 40.

\large 0.09 \times 40 = 3.6

Final Answer:

\large 9\% \text{ of } 40 = 3.6

Another Way: Use a Fraction

You can also find percent of a number by writing the percent as a fraction over 100.

For example, to find 20% of 45:

\large 20\% \text{ of } 45 = \frac{20}{100}\times45

Simplify the fraction first:

\large \frac{20}{100}=\frac{1}{5}

Now multiply:

\large \frac{1}{5}\times45=9

Answer:

\large 20\% \text{ of } 45 = 9

Watch Step-by-Step Example

Watch John explain how to find percent of a number:

Watch Another Percent Example

Here is another worked example showing how to solve a percent problem step-by-step:

Common Mistakes When Finding Percent of a Number

• Forgetting to change the percent into a decimal or fraction
• Moving the decimal the wrong direction
• Adding instead of multiplying
• Confusing “percent of a number” with “what percent” problems

Need More Help with Percents?

If you want more help with percents and other essential math skills, check out John’s full courses. They include clear instruction, practice problems, and step-by-step solution videos.

👉 Explore the Foundations Math Course
👉 Explore the Pre-Algebra Course