What is 3.5 Percent as a Decimal?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To convert a percentage to a decimal, you simply divide the percentage by 100. Therefore, 3.5 percent can be expressed as a decimal by following these steps:
- Write the percentage as a fraction:
( \frac{3.5}{100} ) - Perform the division:
( 3.5 \div 100 = 0.035 )
Thus, 3.5 percent as a decimal is 0.035.
Explanation
Understanding how to convert percentages to decimals is crucial in mathematics and everyday applications, such as finance, statistics, and data analysis. Percentages are a way to express numbers as parts of 100, which can simplify comparisons and calculations.
When converting a percentage to a decimal, you essentially represent the percentage as a fraction of 100. This is because the term “percent” literally means “per hundred.” For example, if you have 50 percent, it can be interpreted as 50 parts out of 100, or ( \frac{50}{100} ), which simplifies to 0.5. This principle applies to any percentage.
The conversion is often used in various real-world scenarios. For instance, if you are calculating discounts, interest rates, or probability, you will frequently need to convert percentages into decimals to perform mathematical operations. In finance, when calculating interest on loans or savings, expressing the rate as a decimal is necessary for accurate computations. For example, a 5% interest rate would be written as 0.05 when calculating interest.
Moreover, understanding decimal representation is vital in programming and data science, where many algorithms rely on decimal calculations rather than percentage figures. This knowledge enables you to interpret data, manage finances, and analyze statistics more effectively, making it an essential skill in both academic and practical contexts.