Solution: 40/81 as a percent is 49.383%
Methods
Method 1 – Converting 40/81 Into a Percentage:
In a fraction, the number above the line is called the numerator, and the number below the line is called the denominator. The fraction shows how many “pieces” of the number there are, compared to how many there are possible. For instance, in the fraction 40/81, we could say that there are 40 pieces out of a possible 81 pieces.
“Percent” means “per hundred”, so for percentages we want to know how many pieces there are if there are 100 pieces possible. For example, if we look at the percentage 75%, that means we have 75 pieces of the possible 100. Re-writing this in fraction form, we see 75/100.
When converting the fraction into a percent, the first step is to adjust the fraction so that there will be 100 pieces possible (the denominator needs to be changed to 100). To do this, you first divide 100 by the denominator:
100
81
=
1.235
\frac{100}{81} = 1.235
81 100 = 1.235
We can then adjust the whole fraction using this number, like so:
40
∗
1.235
81
∗
1.235
=
49.383
100
\frac{40*1.235}{81*1.235} = \frac{49.383}{100}
81 ∗ 1.235 40 ∗ 1.235 = 100 49.383
As you can see, there are 49.383 pieces out of a possible 100 pieces. Re-writing this as a percentage, we can see that 40/81 as a percentage is 49.383%.
Method 2 – Converting 40/81 Into a Percentage Using Decimals:
If you already know how to convert a fraction into a decimal, you can also use this method as a step for converting to a percentage. Let’s show you how.
First, convert the fraction into a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator:
40
81
=
0.494
\frac{40}{81} = 0.494
81 40 = 0.494
If we multiply the decimal by 100, we will get the percentage:
0.494 * 100 = 49.383
Now we can see that 40/81 as a percentage is 49.383.
Try out both methods and see which one works best for you! Some people like to use the first method, while others will prefer to use the decimal method. There is no “best” way to convert fractions into percentages, just choose the method that works for you.
Try some more percentage problems
With a just a few more problems, you could become a pro at converting fractions to percentages. You can try some more right now!
What is 88/9 as a percent?
What is 85/68 as a percent?
What is 99/98 as a percent?
What is 44/5 as a percent?
What is 100/29 as a percent?