Solution: 31/20 as a percent is 155%
Methods
Method 1 – Converting 31/20 Into a Percentage:
We will start with a quick review of fractions. In a fraction, there are two main elements: the numerator and the denominator. The numerator, which is the number above the line, shows how many pieces there are present. The denominator, which is the number below the line, shows how many pieces there would have to be in order to make up a whole number.
“Percent” means “per hundred”, which means that we want to find out how many pieces of the whole we would have if there are 100 pieces possible. This means that a percent is the same as showing what the numerator of a fraction would be if the denominator, or the number of pieces there would have to be to make up a whole, is 100.
For example, if we look at the percentage 40%, that means we have 40 pieces of the possible 100. Re-writing this in fraction form, we see 40/100.
To start converting a fraction into a percent, we first have to change the fraction so that the denominator will be 100. To do this, we first divide 100 by the denominator:
100
20
=
5
\frac{100}{20} = 5
20 100 = 5
This means that in order to change the denominator to 100, we will have to multiply it by 155. But to do that, we also have to multiply the numerator by the same number:
31
∗
5
20
∗
5
=
155
100
\frac{31*5}{20*5} = \frac{155}{100}
20 ∗ 5 31 ∗ 5 = 100 155
This works because multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by the same number is like multiplying it by 1. (5 / 5 = 1)
Once we are done multiplying, we can see that 31/20 as a percentage is 155%.
Method 2 – Converting 31/20 Into a Percentage Using Decimals:
There are other ways to convert a fraction into a percentage. One other common method is to first convert the fraction into a decimal.
To convert 31/20 into a percentage, you would first convert 31/20 into a decimal. This is done by dividing the numerator by the denominator:
31
20
=
1.55
\frac{31}{20} = 1.55
20 31 = 1.55
Once you have the decimal, you can multiply it by 100 to get the percentage:
1.55 x 100 = 155
And there you have it! When we’re done, we can see that 31/20 as a percentage is 155%.
Knowing these two methods will help you convert just about any fraction into a decimal. It’s good to know both methods. In your practice you may find that for some fractions, one method is easier, while the second method may be easier for others.
Give it a go! Grab some paper and try to convert some of your own fractions to percentages. You’ll be an expert in no time!
Master fraction to percentage problems!
Practice makes perfect so why not check out some of other problems where you can convert a fraction to a percentage?
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