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Percentages Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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percentages

[pษ™rหˆsษ›ntษชdส’ษชz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

of calculation

Percentages are a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. They are commonly used in mathematics, finance, and statistics to compare quantities or to calculate increases or decreases. Percentages are often represented by the symbol '%'.

Synonyms

fraction, proportion, ratio.

Examples of usage

  • Calculating percentages is an important skill in everyday life.
  • Sales tax is often expressed as a percentage of the total purchase price.
  • The percentage of students who passed the exam increased this year.
  • It's important to understand the concept of percentages when analyzing data.
  • She received a discount of 20 percent on her purchase.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Learning percentages is a key part of math education, usually introduced around the 5th grade.
  • Understanding percentages helps students grasp more complex concepts in algebra, such as ratios and proportions.
  • Percentage calculations are used in various subjects, from science to economics, making them a vital skill.

Psychology

  • Percentages are often used in statistics to present data in a way that's easier to understand and interpret.
  • People tend to respond differently to percentages than raw numbers; a 50% success rate sounds more favorable than 1 out of 2.
  • Cognitive bias can affect how people perceive percentages, particularly when they relate to probabilities and risks.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, characters often use percentages to illustrate odds, such as scoring in sports or success in romance.
  • Percentages play a role in advertising, where companies often tout discounts (e.g., '50% off') to attract customers.
  • Reality shows frequently display percentages to represent audience votes or contestant performance.

Science

  • In chemistry, the purity of compounds is often expressed as a percentage.
  • Percentages are vital in statistics to analyze data distributions, helping scientists draw conclusions from their research.
  • In biology, percentages can represent population changes, such as the growth rate of species.

Origin of 'percentages'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'percentage' comes from the Latin word 'per centum,' meaning 'by the hundred.'
  • The concept became popular in Europe during the 16th century when merchants needed to calculate profits and taxes.
  • Historically, percentages were essential in banking and trade to describe interest rates.

The word 'percentages' originated from the Latin word 'per centum', which means 'by the hundred'. The concept of expressing numbers as parts of 100 has been used for centuries, with early examples found in ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Babylonians. Percentages became more widely used in the modern era with the development of mathematics and commerce, and they remain an essential tool for calculations and comparisons in various fields.

See also: percent, percentage.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,126 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.