How to Calculate the Percentage Like a Pro | The Mind Math

The Stunning way to calculate percentage using your mind

Understand Percentage

The percentage is the rate for a unit. We are usually taking 100 is the standard unit. So while we are calculating the percentage of a number, we have to imagine a percentage scale looks like below. It is just an imaginary scale. If we are calculating the percentage of number X, we are trying to fit X on that imaginary percentage scale. % is the symbol used to denote percentage.

Calculate the Percentage | How to do it?

The usual questions asking before looking into the percentage calculation can be what is the percentage of marks? how much percentage of peoples wants something? etc,.

So it is important to visualize the percentage for any questions quickly in mind while reading anything in books or newspapers. Always have the imaginary scale in your mind to a better understanding of any statistical results.

Let's jump into the maths.

Now we have the question. What is the percentage(P) of X to Y number?

Here P is the % to calculate. Let take X is 45 and Y is 100 for the simple calculation to understand.

The formula to calculate the % is very simple.

Percentage(P) = (X/Y)*100

P = (45/100)*100 = 4500/100 = 45%

Let take another example. What is the % of 32 to 80?

Let me give you a scenario. You have scored 32 marks out of 80 total marks. This is the exact scenario for asking the question. Now you need to know the percentage of your marks. 32 is not the actual percentage, as the total marks are just 80. The percentage value should be based on denominator 100 so that the actual standard percentage can be derived.

P = (32/80)*100

P = 3200/80 = 40%

This is how 80 limit scale stretching to 100 limit scale. Hope you have learned how to calculate %. 

Solving Real-time problems using percentage calculation formula

What is the total % of marks scored by the student Kumar?

Kumar Scored in Subjects out of 100 marks
Tamil Language - 95
English - 90
Maths - 98
Science - 98
Social - 90

To find the total percentage, we have to first add all the marks.
So we will get the below result.

Total Marks Scored = 95+90+98+98+90 = 471
Total Marks Allocated = 500

Now we can redefine the problem like, "what is the percentage of 471 out of 500?"

Percentage of marks = (471/500)*100 = 47100/500 = 94.2%

Hotel Partnership Share Problem

A 5-Start hotel made a profit of 3.6 crores per year. There are 3 partners and each will have equal shares. So now the question is what % of the amount to profit each one will get per year? 

As we know each one will get equal shares. So finding one person share percent is enough to answer. Let's take one person share amount X.

To find one person share amount (X), we need to divide the profit into 3, as there are 3 share partners.

X = 3.6/3 = 1.2 crore.

As per the formula, X is divided value. Y is profit. Now redefine the real-time problem into the mathematical problem.

What is the % of 1.2 crores out of 3.6 crores?

P = (1.2/3.6)*100 = 120/3.6 = 33.33 %

Each one holding 33.33% shares. 

Reverse use of formula

You are trying to download a movie that is 700mb. Unfortunately, download ended with error and you saw 65% of download is completed. Now, what could be the downloaded file size?

Now the formula can be used in reverse way that means, we know the percentage and we have to find the value X. Let's take 700mb as Y.

P = (X/Y)*100

65 = (X/700)*100

65/100 = X/700

(65/100)*700 = X

X = 455mb

Create your own percentage calculator in excel

There are many ways of calculating percentage in excel. Below just one simple way to express the percentage calculation to understand anyone.

Open Microsoft Excel. (learn more Microsoft Outlook tools)

Type as below. You can make changes as per your requirements. But the formula is simple as highlighted in yellow.

Hope you have learned something in how to calculate %. Thanks for reading.