Percentages

It is important to be able to find simple percentages of a quantity. In order to make these calculations you mainly need to be able to divide by 10 and halve numbers.

 

 

The Multiplier

The multiplier is the single decimal value used to multiply the amount you are working with.

For the £360 example

If we want to make 75% of £360 we can convert the 75% into a MULTIPLIER.

 75% = 75/100 = 0.75

Therefore 75% of £360 = 0.75 x £360 = £270

This multiplier method is vital for calculating REVERSE PERCENTAGES, so you must make sure you understand this concept.

 

Increasing a quantity using the Multiplier

If we increase a 70kg sack of rubble by 20%, the end result would be the original 70kg plus an extra 20%.

Thus the original 70kg = 100%

Increasing this by 20%, give us...

 

To calculate the end value of our sack of rubble:

ORIGINAL + INCREASE = MULTIPLIER

100% + 20% = 120%

Multiplier = 120% = 120/100 = 1.20

Increase in rubble = 1.20 x 70 = 84kg

 


 

Further Examples

1. A salary of £22,000 increases by 5%, what is the new salary?

ORIGINAL + INCREASE = MULTIPLIER

100% + 5% = 105%

Multiplier = 105% = 105/100 = 1.05

New salary = 1.05 x £22,000 = £23,100

 

2. A bottle of 125ml tomato ketchup has 35% extra in it, what is the new volume?

ORIGINAL + INCREASE = MULTIPLIER

100% + 35% = 135%

Multiplier = 135% = 135/100 = 1.35

New volume = 1.35 x 125 = 168.75ml

 


Decreasing a quantity using the Multiplier

When decreasing, we start with the original 100% and SUBTRACT the percentage.

Examples

1. A jacket costing £60 is reduced by 25% in a sale. What is the sale price of the jacket?

REMEMBER: The jacket is reduced, therefore we subtract from 100%

ORIGINAL - REDUCTION = MULTIPLIER

100% - 25% = 75%

Multiplier = 75% = 75/100 = 0.75

Sale price = 0.75 x £60 = £45

 

2. A car depreciates by 15% per year. If the car cost £12,000 how much will it be worth by the end of the first year?

NOTE: Depreciation is the value that is LOST from an item; therefore we always SUBTRACT this percentage.

ORIGINAL - REDUCTION = MULTIPLIER

100% - 15% = 85%

Multiplier = 85% = 85/100 = 0.85

Sale price = 0.85 x £12,000 = £10,200

 


Reading the question carefully

When attempting percentage questions, look carefully at what is being asked. Is the FINAL VALUE required or the INCREASE/DECREASE of the amount?

Example 1

A laptop cost £340 + 15% VAT. How much is the VAT?

Method 1:

£340 => 10% = £34
+5% = £17
15% = £51


Method 2:

Laptop + VAT = 100% + 15% = 115%
Multiplier = 115/100 = 1.15
Multiplier x laptop price = Final amount
1.15 x £340 = £391
Final Amount − laptop price = VAT
£391 − £340 = £51

 

Example 2

 A house cost £235,000 but lost 45% of its value in one year. How much did it lose?

Method 1:

£235,000 =>
so,


Therefore,

10% = £23,500

40% = £94,000 (23,500 x 4)
5% = £11,750 (23,500 ÷ 2)

45% = £105,750


Method 2:

  100% + 45% = 55%
Multiplier = 55/100 = 0.55
Multiplier x House Cost = Current Value

House Cost – Current Value = Value Lost
£235,000 - £129,250= £105,750

 


Reverse Percentages

This method follows on from the multiplier method, but this time we DIVIDE by the multiplier.

The most common mistake for this method is when students do not read the question carefully and do not establish whether the question is asking for the ORIGINAL value or the NEW value.

Example 1

A dress is reduced by 20% in the January sale and now costs £180. What was the price of the dress in December?

Step 1:
  Establish the type of question first. This is a reverse percentage question as it requires the original value of the dress before the sale.
Step 2:
 

Establish the multiplier. A 20% reduction in the sale means the multiplier used was:

100% - 20% = 80%

Previously, we would have worked out the sale price as follows:

ORIGINAL
PRICE

x

MULTIPLIER

=

NEW/SALE
PRICE

In this question the unknown quantity is the Original Price.

Let the original price = x

x

x

0.8

=

£180

Solving the equation for x,
x = £180/0.8
= £225
Original Price = £225

 

Example 2

My sofa costs £2,350 with VAT. What is the price before VAT to the nearest penny?

Step 1:

This is a reverse percentage question because the original value is required.
Step 2:
 

The multiplier is 1.15 (100% + 15%)

Let the original price = x

x

x

1.15

=

£2,350

Solving the equation for x,
x = £2350/1.15
= £2043.47826...
Original Price = £2043.48 (nearest penny)