Problem 75 - Algebra A Combined Function

Question

Write each decimal as a percent. $$ 7.2 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

720%

Step 1: Understand Decimal to Percent Conversion

To convert a decimal to a percent, you need to understand that percent means per hundred. So, when you convert a decimal to a percent, you are essentially setting up the decimal number to represent parts out of 100.

Step 2: Multiply by 100

To convert a decimal to a percent, multiply the decimal by 100. This is because you are scaling the number up to compare it out of 100 units, which is what percent means. Here, you'll calculate: \(7.2 \times 100\).

Step 3: Perform the Calculation

Calculate \(7.2 \times 100\). This results in \(720\).

Step 4: Add the Percent Sign

After calculating \(7.2 \times 100 = 720\), add the percent sign (%) to indicate that this is a percentage. Therefore, \(7.2\) as a percent is \(720\%\).

Key Concepts

Understanding Percentages

The term "percent" refers to a fraction expressed as a part of 100. Essentially, percentages succeed the decimal system by showing how much there is for every hundred units.
For example, 25% means 25 parts out of 100. This rationale is pivotal in math and everyday use, such as calculating discounts or test scores.
Calculating and understanding percentages allow us to easily compare different values without getting entangled in extended decimal numbers.
Turning a decimal into a percentage means scaling the value so it represents its equivalent per 100 units.
Knowing how to convert decimals into percentages enhances your grasp of quantities and proportions.

Introduction to Mathematical Operations

Mathematical operations form the foundation of calculations and number manipulation. They are the procedures and steps that allow us to modify numbers.
The basic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. When converting decimals to percentages, multiplication becomes a vital operation.
This operation helps bridge the conversion gap between different units, aiding us in expressing the same value in another mathematical form. Multiplication is frequently used to scale numbers up or down, which is exactly what's needed in decimal percentage conversion.

The Role of Multiplication by 100 in Conversion

When converting a decimal to a percentage, multiplying by 100 is a direct operation needed to perform this transformation. By doing so, you are changing the scale of the number from its decimal form to a percentage.
It's like zooming in on a portion of a whole, setting the value in terms of how many parts per hundred it represents. For example, multiplying 7.2 by 100 results in 720.
This step is crucial because each decimal value times 100 translates to an equivalent percentage, providing a clear and precise representation of the quantity. Remember that multiplication by 100 moves the decimal point two places to the right, turning decimals into percentages seamlessly.
Once done, adding the percent sign completes the conversion, clarifying its new form as a representation out of 100.