Can anyone tell me how to work out percentages on a calculator in plain english please. I really do not get it

Question

If I want to work out say a 30% reduction on something costing £8

I think I get this but have real problems with numbers in general. Is there a way just to press the percent button and get an answer instead of doing the decimal point thing?

Answer 1

Hi,

Change 30% into its equivalent decimal by moving the decimal point 2 places to the left, so 30% = .30.

Now multiply .30 x 8 = £2.40. Since you were talking about a 30% reduction, then £2.40 is the amount of the reduction. The sale price would be 8 - 2.4 = £5.60.

I hope that helps!! :-)

Answer 2

First, you need to know that % means divided by a hundred. You *NEED* to know this and never forget it.

Because you know this, you know 30% = 30/100 = .30 Trust me, it's *much easier* to use decimals when working with percentages. I'll go over it both ways here, in case you're being forced to use the % key, but remember that it's almost always less confusing to use the decimal.

The language of the question is very important. You want a 30% *reduction*. That means the normal price is *reduced by* 30%, *NOT* that the price is 30% *of* the normal price.

You can do this two ways, whichever makes more sense to you:

Method 1) Find out what the 30% of the price is and then reduce the price by that amount. I'll use calculator keystrokes in quotes
a.."8 x 30 % =" (answer should be 2.40)
....OR "8 x .3 =" if you'd rather use decimals
b..reduce the price by 30%, so 8 - 2.40 = 5.60

Method 2) Recognize that if you *reduce* the price by 30%, that leaves (100% - 30% =) 70% of the price. If you recognize this right away, you only have to do a 70% calculation.
a.."8 x 70 % =" (answer should be 5.60)
.....OR "8 x .7 =" if you prefer decimals

Answer 3

Before you plug any percentage into a calculator, you have to convert it to a decimal:

Examples: 25% = 0.25, 6% = 0.06, 110% = 1.10

In your case, 30% would be written as 0.30. Now you can plug in this value. To find out how much the new cost of the item is after a 30% reduction of an $8 initial cost, solve this way:

0.30 x 8 = $2.4
$2.4 is how much was taken away to reduce the price, so now you must subtract this value from the inital cost:
8 - 2.4 = $5.60

Note: there is no % button on a calculator. You gotta do it the long way, unfortunately, but there's nothing to it once you get the hang of it. :)

Hope that helps. If you need more help with percentages and such, try looking up useful tips and lessons on Google. You will surely find something there. :)

Answer 4

Percentages are just decimals, not that hard once you get the basic concept.

30% of X is the same as X times 0.30

A 30% reduction of 8 is 8 times 0.70 (shortcut version) or 8 times 0.30 and that result subtracted from 8.

I don't know how pounds break down into smaller increments, so I'll leave that part to you.

Answer 5

Multiply the amount by .30

Say tax on a $8.00 item is 5 1/2 %, multiply 8 times .55 and that is your tax. (.44)

Answer 6

On my rather old calculator I press:-
8
x
30
2nd function
%
=
This gives a reduction of 2.4
ie £2.40

Answer 7

I believe you asked for the Calculator procedure..Here it is: -

On your calculator type in '8' then ' * ' (times), then '30' and hit the % key. You'll get '2.4'
Then, £8.00 - 2.4 = £5.60

Answer 8

calculate first wats 30% of 8pounds and then subtract it.
8 - (0.3*8)
=8 - 2.4
=5.6

Answer 9

times the price by the percentage
8X30.....240 move the points over two...2.40

Answer 10

8*0.3=2.4
this is the amount to be reduced