What is 25% of 144?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To find 25% of 144, you follow these steps:
- Understand what 25% means:
A percentage is a fraction out of 100. So, 25% can be written as the fraction ( \frac{25}{100} ) or 0.25 in decimal form. - Convert the percentage to a decimal:
To work with percentages in calculations, it is often easiest to convert the percentage to its decimal form.
[
25\% = 0.25
] - Multiply the decimal by the number:
Now, multiply 0.25 by 144 (the number you’re finding 25% of):
[
0.25 \times 144 = 36
]
Thus, 25% of 144 is 36.
Explanation:
The concept of percentages is rooted in division. When we say 25%, we are essentially saying “25 out of every 100.” So, to find 25% of a number, you divide the number by 100 and then multiply by 25.
Alternatively, percentages can be interpreted as fractions. In this case, 25% is equivalent to ( \frac{25}{100} ). This fraction can be simplified to ( \frac{1}{4} ), which means that finding 25% of a number is the same as finding one-fourth of that number. For example, one-fourth of 144 is 36, which matches our earlier result.
In real-world scenarios, percentages are commonly used in financial calculations, such as determining discounts, tax rates, or interest. For instance, if you were given a 25% discount on a $144 item, the discount amount would be $36 (25% of 144), reducing the price of the item to $108.
Understanding how to calculate percentages is useful in various contexts, including budgeting, sales, and even statistical data interpretation. This foundational mathematical skill is valuable for both personal and professional situations.