What Percentage Is 90 Out Of 120

What Percentage is 90 out of 120? A Simple Guide to Percentage Calculations

Calculating percentages is a fundamental skill with wide-ranging applications, from academic assignments to everyday financial decisions. Understanding how to determine what percentage 90 represents of 120 is not only useful in itself but also provides a foundation for tackling more complex percentage problems. This article will guide you through the process, providing a step-by-step explanation and offering tips for similar calculations.

Understanding the Concept of Percentage

A percentage is a fraction or ratio expressed as a number out of 100. The term "percent" literally means "per hundred." Therefore, finding what percentage 90 is of 120 means determining what fraction of 100 90 represents when compared to 120.

Method 1: Using the Formula

The most straightforward method involves using the basic percentage formula:

(Part / Whole) x 100 = Percentage

In this case:

• Part: 90 (the number we want to express as a percentage)
• Whole: 120 (the total number)

Substituting the values into the formula:

(90 / 120) x 100 = 75%

Therefore, 90 is 75% of 120.

Method 2: Simplifying the Fraction

Alternatively, we can simplify the fraction 90/120 before multiplying by 100. Both 90 and 120 are divisible by 30:

90 ÷ 30 = 3 120 ÷ 30 = 4

This simplifies the fraction to 3/4. To express this as a percentage, we convert the fraction to a decimal and then multiply by 100:

3 ÷ 4 = 0.75 0.75 x 100 = 75%

This again confirms that 90 is 75% of 120.

Practical Applications and Further Exploration

Understanding percentage calculations is crucial in various situations, including:

• Grade Calculation: Determining a final grade based on individual assignment scores.
• Financial Matters: Calculating discounts, interest rates, tax percentages, and profit margins.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting statistical data represented as percentages.
• Science and Engineering: Expressing ratios and proportions in percentage terms.

This simple example of calculating the percentage of 90 out of 120 demonstrates a fundamental mathematical concept with broad applicability. By mastering this calculation, you equip yourself with a valuable tool for various aspects of life and work. Remember the formula, practice with different numbers, and you'll quickly become proficient in calculating percentages. For more complex percentage problems, explore resources on percentage increase, percentage decrease, and calculating percentages of percentages.