Percentages -- having trouble understanding how to take a percentage of a number

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding how to calculate 'a' divided by a% of 'a'. Participants clarify that a% can be expressed as a/100, leading to the conclusion that a% of a equals (a/100) * a, which simplifies to a²/100. There is confusion about defining a% and how to express it as a decimal, with examples like 50% being 0.5. Ultimately, the correct interpretation and calculation of percentages are emphasized, aiding in the understanding of the original problem. This thread effectively clarifies the concept of percentages in mathematical terms.
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Homework Statement



What is 'a' divided by a% of a?

Homework Equations



a div a/a * 100

The Attempt at a Solution


a/1/a/a * 100 = a/100

which is not a correct answer. I can't define a%. In my view a% of a means 100 i.e. a/a * 100.

Some body please guide me.

Zulfi.
 
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zak100 said:

Homework Statement



What is 'a' divided by a% of a?

Homework Equations



a div a/a * 100

The Attempt at a Solution


a/1/a/a * 100 = a/100

which is not a correct answer. I can't define a%. In my view a% of a means 100 i.e. a/a * 100.

Some body please guide me.

Zulfi.
How would you express a% as a decimal number? Hint: what is 50% of something as a decimal number?
 
zak100 said:

Homework Statement



What is 'a' divided by a% of a?

Homework Equations



a div a/a * 100

The Attempt at a Solution


a/1/a/a * 100 = a/100

which is not a correct answer. I can't define a%. In my view a% of a means 100 i.e. a/a * 100.

Some body please guide me.

Zulfi.

For a general value ##x##, what would be ##a\%## of ##x##? What would you get if you then put ##x = a##?
 
Hi,
Thanks for your attention.

a% of x = a/x * 100
if x = a , i would get 100.
<
How would you express a% as a decimal number? Hint: what is 50% of something as a decimal number?
>
I know about 50% as 0.5. I got this knowledge from the forum last time. But i don't know how to express a%, maybe 0.0a?

Zulfi.
 
zak100 said:
Hi,
Thanks for your attention.

a% of x = a/x * 100
if x = a , i would get 100.

Zulfi.

No, you have it wrong. 50% of 50 is one-half of 50, which is 25. 10% of 10 is one-tenth of ten, which is 1.
 
Hi,
<50% of 50 is one-half of 50>
= 0.5 (50)
what about a% of a = (a/100 )* a.
Is the above correct?
Please guide me.
Zulfi.
 
zak100 said:
Hi,
<50% of 50 is one-half of 50>
= 0.5 (50)
what about a% of a = (a/100 )* a.
Is the above correct?
Please guide me.
Zulfi.

Yes, ##a\%## of ##a## is ##(a/100)a = a^2/100##, just as you wrote.
 
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