What is 2.5 percent as a decimal?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
2.5 percent as a decimal is 0.025.
Explanation:
To convert a percent to a decimal, divide the percent value by 100. The word “percent” comes from the Latin per centum, meaning “by the hundred.” Therefore, 2.5 percent means 2.5 out of 100. This can be written as the fraction 2.5/100. When dividing 2.5 by 100, the result is 0.025.
To perform this conversion using a simple rule, move the decimal point two places to the left. In the number 2.5, the decimal point is located between the 2 and the 5. Moving it two places left shifts it past the zero, resulting in 0.025. This is the decimal form of 2.5%.
Another way to understand the conversion is to think in terms of multiplication. Percent values are often used in calculations involving proportions or rates. To apply a percent in a math operation, the percent must be in decimal form. This is why converting percentages to decimals is a necessary step before performing operations such as finding discounts, calculating tax, or working with interest rates.
The conversion is especially useful in real-life situations. For example, if a bank offers 2.5% interest, the interest rate must be converted to a decimal—0.025—before it can be used in formulas to calculate earnings or costs.
Understanding how to convert between percents and decimals is a foundational math skill. It is used in academic settings, personal finance, data analysis, and many professional fields. Memorizing the rule—divide by 100 or move the decimal two places to the left—simplifies this task and ensures accuracy in mathematical computations.
