Chapter 6: Percents
OBJECTIVES
- Convert percents to equivalent fractions and decimal numbers.
- Solve percent problems using different methods.
- Calculate bases, rates, or portions of quantities expressed in percents.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
6.1 Percents
6. Review Exercises
6. Self-Test Exercises
6. Case Study – Lightning Wholesale
Introduction
In Chapter 2, we learned that fractions and decimal numbers represent portions of a whole number or quantity. In this chapter, we will learn about another form used to represent a part of a whole: percents.
Percents are used to represent the number of parts per one hundred. Due to their simplicity, percents are a widely accepted measure for expressing fractions and decimal numbers. They make comparisons easy and are used often in our daily lives and in making business decisions; some examples of the use of percents include the interest rate charged by a bank on a loan, the discount offered at a store, the sales tax charged on items purchased, and the commission received by a sales representative.
In this chapter, we will learn the relationship between fractions, decimal numbers, and percents and learn to solve problems related to percents, including business applications.
Unless otherwise indicated, this chapter is an adaptation of the eTextbook Foundations of Mathematics (3rd ed.) by Thambyrajah Kugathasan, published by Vretta-Lyryx Inc., with permission. Adaptations include supplementing existing material and reordering chapters.
