What Is 20 Of 80 Dollars

What is 20% of 80 Dollars? A Simple Percentage Calculation Explained

Finding a percentage of a number is a common calculation used in various situations, from calculating discounts and sales tax to determining tips and profit margins. This article will clearly explain how to calculate 20% of 80 dollars, and offer different methods to solve this problem. Understanding this fundamental calculation will empower you to tackle similar percentage problems with ease.

Understanding Percentages

A percentage is a fraction of 100. For example, 20% means 20 out of 100, or 20/100, which simplifies to 1/5. Calculating a percentage of a number involves finding that proportional part of the whole.

Method 1: Using Decimal Multiplication

The most straightforward way to find 20% of 80 dollars is by converting the percentage to a decimal and multiplying it by the number.

• Step 1: Convert the percentage to a decimal: To convert 20% to a decimal, divide it by 100: 20 / 100 = 0.20
• Step 2: Multiply the decimal by the number: Multiply 0.20 by 80 dollars: 0.20 * $80 = $16

Therefore, 20% of 80 dollars is $16.

Method 2: Using Fractions

As mentioned earlier, 20% is equivalent to the fraction 1/5. We can use this fraction to calculate 20% of 80 dollars.

• Step 1: Express the percentage as a fraction: 20% = 1/5
• Step 2: Multiply the fraction by the number: Multiply 1/5 by $80: (1/5) * $80 = $16

Again, we arrive at the answer: 20% of 80 dollars is $16.

Method 3: Proportion Method

This method involves setting up a proportion to solve for the unknown value.

• Step 1: Set up a proportion: We can set up a proportion as follows: 20/100 = x/80, where 'x' represents 20% of 80.
• Step 2: Cross-multiply: Cross-multiplying gives us: 100x = 20 * 80 = 1600
• Step 3: Solve for x: Divide both sides by 100: x = 1600 / 100 = $16

This method confirms that 20% of 80 dollars is $16.

Real-World Applications

Understanding percentage calculations is crucial in many daily situations. For example:

• Sales and discounts: If a store offers a 20% discount on an item priced at $80, you'd save $16.
• Tax calculations: Calculating sales tax or other taxes on a purchase often involves percentages.
• Tip calculations: Determining a 20% tip on an $80 meal would result in a $16 tip.
• Financial planning: Percentages are fundamental to understanding interest rates, returns on investment, and other financial concepts.

In conclusion, mastering percentage calculations is a valuable skill with wide-ranging applications. By using any of the methods explained above, you can confidently determine that 20% of 80 dollars is $16.