Write 12.5% as a decimal.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer:
12.5% as a decimal is 0.125.
Explanation:
To convert a percentage into a decimal, follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand Percentage
A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. The symbol % means “per hundred.” So, 12.5% means 12.5 per 100, or:
[
12.5\% = \frac{12.5}{100}
]
Step 2: Convert to Decimal Form
To convert 12.5% to a decimal, divide 12.5 by 100:
[
12.5 \div 100 = 0.125
]
Step 3: Alternative Method – Moving the Decimal Point
A quick way to convert percentages to decimals is by moving the decimal point two places to the left.
- The original percentage is 12.5% (which has an implied decimal at the end: 12.5% = 12.5).
- Move the decimal two places left:
- First move: 1.25
- Second move: 0.125
So, 12.5% as a decimal is 0.125.
Step 4: Understanding Why This Works
When dividing by 100, we shift the decimal point two places left because 100 has two zeros. This rule applies to all percentages:
- 50% = 50 ÷ 100 = 0.50
- 8% = 8 ÷ 100 = 0.08
- 125% = 125 ÷ 100 = 1.25
Thus, the decimal form of 12.5% is 0.125.