Introduction
If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t thought about percentages since high school math class. However, understanding percentages is an important part of everyday life. From calculating sales tax to determining how much to tip your waiter, percentages are everywhere. In this article, we’ll explore what 12 percent of 80 is and how to calculate it.
What Is a Percentage?
Before we dive into the calculation, let’s first define what a percentage is. A percentage is a way of expressing a fraction or a part of a whole as a value out of 100. For example, if you have 80 apples and you want to know what percentage of the total that 12 apples represent, you would divide 12 by 80 and then multiply by 100.
How to Calculate 12 Percent of 80
Now that we understand what a percentage is, let’s calculate what 12 percent of 80 is. To do this, we’ll follow a simple formula: 12 / 100 x 80 = 9.6 So, 12 percent of 80 is 9.6. This means that if you have 80 apples, 12 percent of them would be equal to 9.6 apples.
Why Is It Important to Know Percentages?
Knowing how to calculate percentages is important for a number of reasons. For example, if you’re shopping and you see a sale that offers 25 percent off, you can quickly calculate the sale price to see if it’s a good deal. Similarly, if you’re trying to lose weight and you want to reduce your calorie intake by 10 percent, you can use percentages to calculate how many calories you should be eating each day.
Common Percentage Calculations
There are a few common percentage calculations that you may encounter in your everyday life. These include:
Calculating a Tip
When you go out to eat, it’s customary to leave a tip for your waiter or waitress. The amount of the tip is typically based on a percentage of the total bill. In the United States, a typical tip is 15-20 percent of the total bill.
Calculating Sales Tax
Sales tax is a percentage that is added to the price of goods and services. The amount of sales tax varies by state and can range from 0 percent to over 10 percent.
Calculating a Discount
When you see a sale or a discount, it’s often expressed as a percentage off the original price. For example, a store might offer a 20 percent discount on all clothing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding percentages is an important part of everyday life. Whether you’re calculating a tip, figuring out a discount, or just curious about what percentage of a whole something represents, knowing how to calculate percentages can save you time and money. By following the simple formula we discussed, you can easily calculate what 12 percent of 80 is and apply this knowledge to other situations in your life.