In this section, we will introduce the concept of percent and learn how it is used to express parts of a whole. We will understand that “percent” implies “per hundred” or “out of one hundred.” Using examples, we will illustrate how it can be used to describe the relationship between a part and a whole. We will also familiarize ourselves with the percent symbol (%).

Questions:

1. What does the term “percent” mean, and how is it expressed symbolically?
2. How would you express 50 out of 100 as a percent?
3. If you answered 10 questions correctly out of 20, what percent of the questions did you answer right?
4. If there are 100 apples and you have 25, what is the percentage of apples you have?
5. Why do we often convert fractions or decimals to percentages in real-world scenarios?
6. How do you represent the fraction 1/2 as a percent?
7. If 30 students in a class of 50 pass a test, what is the passing percentage rate?
8. Can you have a percent that’s greater than 100%? Explain with an example.
9. Explain the difference between saying 50% and 50 out of 100.
10. What is the relationship between percent and proportion?

By the end of this lesson, the student should be able to understand basic concepts of percent, recognize the percent symbol and feel comfortable expressing parts out of hundred as a percent. This foundation will be important for the rest of the lessons.