What is [20\%] of [780]?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To find 20% of 780, follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Calculation:
- Convert the percentage to a decimal:
- ( 20\% ) means ( \frac{20}{100} ), which equals ( 0.2 ).
- Multiply the decimal by the number:
- ( 780 \times 0.2 = 156 ).
Thus, 20% of 780 is 156.
Explanation:
The term percentage comes from “per cent,” meaning “per hundred.” It represents a fraction with a denominator of 100. When calculating a percentage of a number, we convert the percentage into a decimal or fraction and then multiply it by the number.
Why Multiply?
The concept of “20% of 780” translates to “20 out of every 100 parts of 780.” When we multiply ( 780 ) by ( 0.2 ), we isolate that specific fraction of the total.
Breaking Down the Calculation:
- Step 1: Converting ( 20\% ) into ( 0.2 ) simplifies the problem because working with decimals is easier than fractions.
- Step 2: Multiplying ( 780 \times 0.2 ) distributes 20% of the value across the whole number, providing the exact amount that corresponds to 20%.
Practical Application:
This calculation is useful in everyday scenarios, such as:
- Sales Discounts: If an item costing $780 is marked “20% off,” you can quickly calculate that the discount is $156.
- Taxes and Tips: In cases like calculating taxes, where 20% might be applied to a service, knowing how to compute percentages becomes essential.
Verifying Results:
You can double-check your work using another method. For instance:
- Find ( 10\% ) of ( 780 ) by dividing ( 780 ) by ( 10 ): ( 78 ).
- Since ( 20\% ) is twice ( 10\% ), multiply ( 78 \times 2 = 156 ).
Thus, ( 20\% ) of ( 780 ) is confirmed to be 156.