How to Find One Number as a Percentage of Another

April 24, 2025 3 min read

Understanding percentages is crucial in many aspects of life, from calculating discounts while shopping to figuring out financial returns. A common question is: "How do I find one number as a percentage of another?" This article provides a clear and easy-to-understand guide to mastering this essential skill, and how our percentage calculator can streamline the process.

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The Basic Formula

The core concept is quite simple. To express one number as a percentage of another, you'll use the following formula:

(Part / Whole) * 100 = Percentage

Where:

  • Part: The number you want to express as a percentage.
  • Whole: The number you are comparing the "Part" to.

Step-by-Step Example

Let's say you scored 75 out of 100 on a test. To find your score as a percentage:

  1. Identify the "Part" and the "Whole":
    • Part = 75 (Your score)
    • Whole = 100 (Total possible score)
  2. Apply the Formula: (75 / 100) * 100
  3. Calculate: 0.75 * 100 = 75%
  4. Result: You scored 75% on the test.

Real-World Applications

This calculation is useful in various scenarios:

  • Calculating Sales Discounts: If an item is \$25 off its original price of \$100, the discount percentage is (25/100) * 100 = 25%.
  • Analyzing Budget Allocation: If you spend \$500 on rent out of a \$2000 monthly income, rent accounts for (500/2000) * 100 = 25% of your income.
  • Tracking Progress: If you've read 30 pages of a 150-page book, you've completed (30/150) * 100 = 20% of the book.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Incorrectly Identifying Part and Whole: Always ensure you are dividing the correct numbers.
  • Forgetting to Multiply by 100: This step is essential to convert the decimal into a percentage.

Simplify Calculations with Our Percentage Calculator

While the formula is straightforward, manual calculations can be time-consuming. That's where our percentage calculator comes in handy! It allows you to quickly and accurately solve this, and other percentage problems. You can use our calculator to:

  • Find what percent of a number is: What is 15% of 200?
  • Figure out what percentage one number is of another: 30 is what percent of 150?
  • Calculate percentage increase or decrease: What is the percentage change from 80 to 100?

Our calculator is designed to be user-friendly, accurate, and accessible on any device, whether you're on your computer or phone.

More Percentage Calculations

Looking to understand other percentage calculations? Check out these articles: