Unlocking Percentages: Finding the Percent of a Number

Mathematics Grades 7th Grade 2:07 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to calculate the percentage of a whole number by converting percentages to decimals and fractions. This lesson provides a step-by-step guide to mastering percentage calculations.

Video Resource

Percentage of a whole number | Decimals | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 2:07
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Percentage as a fraction (per 100)
  • Percentage as a decimal
  • Multiplication of decimals and fractions

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to convert percentages into equivalent fractions and decimals.
  • Students will be able to calculate the percentage of a whole number using both fraction and decimal methods.
  • Students will be able to solve real-world problems involving percentages.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing what percentages represent (parts out of 100). Briefly discuss the relationship between percentages, fractions, and decimals. Ask students for examples of where they encounter percentages in their daily lives (e.g., discounts, grades).
  • Video Viewing and Discussion (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video "Percentage of a whole number | Decimals | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy." Pause at key points to clarify concepts, such as the conversion of 30% to 30/100 and 0.30. Emphasize that both methods (fraction and decimal multiplication) yield the same answer.
  • Guided Practice (15 mins)
    Work through a few example problems together on the board. Start with simple percentages (e.g., 50% of 20, 25% of 40) and gradually increase the difficulty. Show both the fraction and decimal methods for each problem. For example: What is 20% of 50? (20/100 * 50 = 10 or 0.20 * 50 = 10)
  • Independent Practice (15 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing a variety of percentage problems. Encourage them to use either the fraction or decimal method, or both, to solve the problems. Circulate the classroom to provide assistance as needed.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (5 mins)
    Review the answers to the independent practice problems. Ask students to explain their reasoning and the methods they used. Collect the worksheets for assessment.

Interactive Exercises

  • Percentage Conversion Game
    Divide the class into teams. Provide a percentage, and each team races to be the first to correctly convert it into both a fraction and a decimal. Award points for each correct answer.
  • Real-World Percentage Problems
    Present students with word problems that require them to calculate percentages in real-world contexts, such as discounts, taxes, and tips. Have them work individually or in small groups to solve the problems.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it helpful to know how to convert percentages to fractions and decimals?
  • Can you think of a real-world situation where calculating a percentage would be useful?
  • Which method (fraction or decimal) do you find easier, and why?

Skills Developed

  • Percentage calculation
  • Fraction and decimal conversion
  • Problem-solving
  • Mathematical reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is 25% expressed as a decimal?

Correct Answer: 0.25

Question 2:

What is 50% of 80?

Correct Answer: 40

Question 3:

Which fraction is equivalent to 75%?

Correct Answer: 3/4

Question 4:

What is 10% of 150?

Correct Answer: 15

Question 5:

If a shirt costs $20 and is 30% off, how much is the discount?

Correct Answer: $6

Question 6:

What is 1% of 1000?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 7:

What is 200% of 5?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 8:

Express 0.6 as a percentage.

Correct Answer: 60%

Question 9:

A store offers a 15% discount. How would you calculate the discount amount on an item that costs $50?

Correct Answer: Multiply 50 by 0.15

Question 10:

You got 80% of the questions correct on a 20-question quiz. How many questions did you get right?

Correct Answer: 16

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

To convert a percentage to a decimal, you divide by ________.

Correct Answer: 100

Question 2:

1/4 is equivalent to ________%.

Correct Answer: 25

Question 3:

30% of 20 is ________.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 4:

The decimal 0.75 is equal to ________%.

Correct Answer: 75

Question 5:

If a store gives a 20% discount, you pay ________% of the original price.

Correct Answer: 80

Question 6:

10% of ________ is 5.

Correct Answer: 50

Question 7:

200% of 8 is ________.

Correct Answer: 16

Question 8:

Expressing a percentage as a fraction, 60% is equivalent to ________/100.

Correct Answer: 60

Question 9:

To find 40% of a number, you can multiply it by the decimal ________.

Correct Answer: 0.4

Question 10:

________% of 50 is 25.

Correct Answer: 50

Educational Standards

7.N.2.5:Model and solve problems using rational numbers involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and positive integer exponents. 7.A.2.2:Solve multi-step problems with proportional relationships (e.g., distance-time, percent increase or decrease, discounts, tips, unit pricing, mixtures and concentrations, similar figures, other mathematical situations). 7.N.1.2:Recognize and generate equivalent representations of rational numbers, including equivalent fractions.

Teaching Materials

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