The Method
Step 1: Write the percent as a fraction over 100.
Step 2: Simplify the fraction by finding the greatest common factor.
Fraction = Percent / 100
This works because "percent" literally means "per hundred."
Examples
Whole Number Percents
50% = 50/100 = 1/2
25% = 25/100 = 1/4
80% = 80/100 = 4/5
15% = 15/100 = 3/20
Decimal Percents
For percents like 12.5%, multiply top and bottom to remove the decimal first.
12.5% = 12.5/100
Multiply both by 2: 25/200
Simplify: 1/8
Percents Over 100%
Percents greater than 100% become improper fractions (or mixed numbers).
Examples
150% = 150/100 = 3/2 (or 1 ½)
200% = 200/100 = 2/1 (or just 2)
💡 Simplifying shortcut: If the percent is even, start by dividing both by 2. If it ends in 0 or 5, try dividing by 5.
🎯 Practice Problems
1. Convert 75% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 75/10
B) 7/5
C) 3/4
D) 15/20
2. Convert 20% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 2/10
B) 1/5
C) 1/20
D) 2/5
3. Convert 60% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 6/10
B) 60/10
C) 3/5
D) 6/100
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🎯 Bonus Practice
1. Convert 10% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 1/10
B) 10/10
C) 1/100
D) 1/5
2. Convert 150% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 15/100
B) 15/10
C) 3/2
D) 1/150
3. Convert 40% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 4/10
B) 2/5
C) 4/100
D) 40/10
4. Convert 5% to a fraction in simplest form.
A) 5/10
B) 1/5
C) 1/20
D) 1/50
5. Convert 33% to a fraction (do not simplify).
A) 33/10
B) 33/1000
C) 3/3
D) 33/100