Representing Percents

People often read nutrition labels

on food products to determine
Focus on… the percent of the recommended
After this lesson, you daily value (RDV) of nutrients the
will be able to...
food contains. By reading these
! show percents labels you can make wiser food
that are between choices to help maintain a healthy
0% and 1%
lifestyle.
! show percents
that are greater The nutrition label on a certain
than 100% brand of grape juice says that one
! show percents 250-mL glass of juice contains
involving fractions 130% of the RDV of Vitamin C,
2% of the RDV of iron, and 1% of the RDV of sodium. Half a
glass would contain 65% of the RDV of Vitamin C, 1% of the
RDV of iron, and __1 % of the RDV of sodium. You have seen
percent
2
how to represent a percent like 65% on a grid. How might you
• means out of 100 1 %?
• another name for
use grids to represent 130% or __
2
hundredths
• 65% means 65 out of
65
100 or ____ or 0.65.
100

How can you represent percents on a grid?

1. a) The hundred grid shows 100%.
How many squares are shaded?

b) Explain how the following

• hundred grids diagram shows 130%.
• coloured pencils

c) Shade hundred grids to show 350%. How many squares did

you shade?

122 MHR • Chapter 4

 2. a) Shade a hundred grid to show half of 100%. How many squares
did you shade? What percent of the whole grid do the shaded
squares represent?
b) Shade a hundred grid to show half of your answer to part a).
How many squares did you shade? What percent of the whole
grid do the shaded squares represent?
c) Shade a hundred grid to show half of your answer to part b).
How many squares did you shade? What percent of the whole
grid do the shaded squares represent?
d) How does the type of number represented by the percent value
in part c) differ from the types of numbers in parts a) and b)?
Explain why.

3. The circled square represents 1% on the hundred grid shown.

a) What fraction of the enlarged square would you need to shade

to show half of 1%? What percent of the whole grid would
your shaded portion represent?
b) What fraction of a 1% square would you need to shade to
3 %?
represent __
4
c) What fraction of a 1% square would you need to shade to
represent 0.37%?

Reflect on Your Findings

4. Describe how to use grids to represent the following types of History Link
percent values.
In Roman times, the
a) percents greater than 100% term centurion was
b) percents between 0% and 1% used to describe an
officer in the Roman
c) percents containing a mixed number greater than 1% Legion who was in
charge of 100
soldiers. There was
one centurion per
cent, meaning there
was one centurion
per 100 soldiers.
What other English
words do you know
that include cent?

4.1 Representing Percents • MHR 123

 Example 1: Determine the Percent Represented on a Grid
One completely shaded grid represents 100%. What percent does
each diagram represent?
a) b)

c)

Solution
a) Each grid is divided into 100 squares. A completely shaded grid
represents 100%.
The first grid is completely shaded. There are 100 squares shaded.
In the second grid, there are three full rows of ten shaded and five
squares shaded in the fourth row. There are 35 squares shaded.
There are a total of 135 squares shaded.

100 35
This diagram represents 135%.

b) Since a portion of only one square of a hundred grid is shaded, the

percent represented is between 0% and 1%. You can zoom in on the
partially shaded square and count the number of shaded parts. The
enlarged diagram shows seven out of a total of ten parts shaded.
7 or 0.7 of 1% of the whole diagram.
The shading represents ___
10

7
10

7 % or 0.7%.
The diagram represents ___
10
124 MHR • Chapter 4
c) The diagram shows 42 squares shaded plus a portion of
another square.
You can zoom in on the partially shaded square to determine
the fraction that is shaded.
The enlarged diagram shows __5 shaded.
8
5
__
The shading represents of 1% of the whole diagram.
8

_5
8

5 %.
The diagram represents 42 __
8

One completely shaded grid represents 100%. What percent does

each diagram represent?
a)

b)

c)

4.1 Representing Percents • MHR 125

 Example 2: Represent Percents on a Grid
Represent the percent in each statement on a grid.
a) An orange juice container shows that one 250-mL serving contains
120% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C.
b) A significant portion of the world’s fresh water is found in Canada,
but Canada has only 0.5% of the world’s population.
3
c) A credit card company charges an interest rate of 18__% on unpaid
4
balances.

Solution
a) Since 120% is greater than 100%, more than one hundred grid
is needed.
You can represent 100% by completely shading one grid. You can
represent 20% by shading 20 squares of a second hundred grid.

fractional percent b) 0.5% is a fractional percent between 0% and 1%. Zoom in on one
• a percent that includes 1 , divide the enlarged
square of a hundred grid. Since 0.5 represents __
a portion of a percent, 2
1
such as __%, 0.42%, square into two equal sections. Shade one of the two sections.
2
3 3
7__ %, 125__ %, 4.5%
8 4

c)
3 % is a fractional percent between 1% and 100%.
18__
4
Use one hundred grid.
Shade 18 squares to represent 18%.
3 of another square to represent __
Shade __ 3 %.
4 4

126 MHR • Chapter 4

Represent each percent on a grid.
a) 180% b) 0.6%
3
c) 12__%
8

• To represent a percent, you can shade squares on a grid of 100 squares

called a hundred grid. One completely shaded grid represents 100%.

45%
• To represent a percent greater than 100%, shade more than one grid.

170%
• To represent a fractional percent between 0% and 1%, shade part
of one square.

_1 %
3
• To represent a fractional percent greater than 1%, shade squares
from a hundred grid to show the whole number and part of one
square from the grid to show the fraction.

1
75 _ %
3

4.1 Representing Percents • MHR 127

 1. Use hundred grids and words to describe the similarities and differences
between a percent less than 1%, a percent between 1% and 100%, and a
percent greater than 100%.

2. a) You are asked to show a classmate how to use hundred grids to show
243%. How do you explain which squares need shading?
1
b) Explain how you would represent 25__% on a grid.
4
3. Shindi commented to a friend that “some percents would be easier to show
if we shaded the parts that were not included in the percent.” Explain what
she means. Which percents are easier to show using Shindi’s method? Why?

5. What percent is represented by each

diagram if a completely shaded grid
represents 100%?
For help with #4 and #5, refer to Example 1 on
a)
pages 124–125.
4. One full grid represents 100%. What
percent does each diagram represent?
a)

b)

b)
c)

c)
For help with #6 and #7, refer to Example 2 on
page 126.
6. Represent each percent on a grid.
a) 125%
1
b) 10 __% c) 0.4%
2
d) 262%
7
e) __% f) 45.6%
8
128 MHR • Chapter 4
 7. Represent the percent in each statement
on a grid.
a) Attendance at the fall fair increased 13. a)
1 to a
Use a calculator to convert __
by 3.2% this year. decimal. How could __1 % be3shown
b) The average mass of a Singapura cat is 3
using a hundred grid?
about 0.13% of the mass of a Siberian
tiger. b) Why are percents involving repeating
decimals sometimes difficult to show on
c) The length of the Yukon River is about
a hundred grid?
230% of the length of the Fraser River.

8. How many hundred grids are needed to 14. a) If 200 squares were used instead of
show each of the following percents? 100 squares to represent 100%, how
would you show 0.25%?
a) 300% b) 466% c) 1200%
b) If 400 squares were used instead of
100 squares to represent 100%, how
would you show 0.75%?
9. Give two examples where a percent greater
15. Show how hundred grid(s) could be used
than 100% might be found in everyday life.
to represent a very small percent, such as
0.000 0125%.
10. Why might a scientist studying water
pollution work with percents less than one?
16. Suppose one large square represents
11. The land area of Alberta is about 113% 100%. The square is divided into
of the land area of Saskatchewan. Use smaller equal-sized pieces.
hundred grids to show how the land area a) If there are 1000 pieces, what percent
of Alberta compares with the land area of do 17 pieces represent?
Saskatchewan. b) If there are two large squares each
divided into ten smaller pieces, what
12. A 250-mL glass of milk contains 30% of percent do 13 pieces represent?
the recommended daily value of calcium. c) If the large square is divided into eight
Use a hundred grid to show how many smaller pieces, show how to represent
glasses of milk you would need to drink 1 %.
1 % and 56__
87__
to get 100% of the daily value of calcium. 2 4

MATH LINK
Use hundred grids to represent the following data.

97.5% of Earth’s Water is Salt Water

osphere
Found in Earth’s Atm
2.5% of Earth’s Water is
Fresh Water 0.04% of Fresh Water
3
10 % of Fresh Water Found in Lakes and Rivers
0.007% of Fresh Water Access
ible for Drinking Water

4.1 Representing Percents • MHR 129

 Fractions, Decimals, and
Percents
Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to...
! convert between
fractions, decimals,
and percents

Sports commentators often use statistics to report on the performance

of a goalie. Commentators often change the way the information is
presented to make it sound more interesting.
How did the sports commentator use the information from the
following table in the report on the goalie’s performance?
Goalie Statistics
Period Shots on Goal Saves Goals Against Save Percent
1 10 9 1 90%
2 15 14 1 1%
93 __
3
3 6 4 2 2%
66 __
3

How are percents related to fractions and decimals?

1. a) What fraction of this figure is shaded?
b) Rewrite your fraction with a denominator of 100.
c) Express the fraction shaded as a decimal.
d) What percent of the figure is shaded?

2. Suppose you want to shade one half as many sections as in #1.

Show the area that will be shaded on a new diagram. How much
of the diagram will you shade? Express your answer as a fraction,
a decimal, and a percent.

130 MHR • Chapter 4

 3. Suppose you want to shade three times as many sections as in #1. If
one large square represents one whole, how many squares will you
need to draw to show this situation? How many squares will you
shade? Express your answer as a fraction, a decimal, and a percent.

Reflect on Your Findings

4. a) How are the decimal, percent, and fraction representations of
a number the same? How are they different?
b) Which representations do you prefer to work with? Why?

Example 1: Convert Fractions to Decimals and Percents

Convert each fraction to a decimal and a percent.
1
a) ___
71
b) ____
9
c) __
20 200 8

Solution
a)
1 = ____
Percent means out of 100. So, ___ x .
20 100 1
Is ___ greater
20
You could represent this using a hundred grid. than or less than one
5 of 100 squares are coloured. whole? Will the percent
be greater than or less
So, ___ 5 . That is 5% or 0.05.
1 = ____ than 100%?
20 100
1 as 1 ÷ 20 = 0.05.
Sometimes you interpret ___
20
0.05 can be expressed as 5%.

71
b) ____
x
= ____ How do you
200 100 71
know x = 35.5? Is ____ greater
200
x = 35.5 than or less than one
whole? Will the percent
That is 35.5% or 0.355. be greater than or less
71 as 71 ÷ 200 = 0.355.
You could interpret ____ than 100%?
200
0.355 can be expressed as 35.5%.

9
c) __
8 + __
can be expressed as __ 1 = 1 + __
1.
8 8 8 8 9
Is __ greater than
8
One whole represents 100%. or less than one
You know that __1 represents 25%. So, __1 represents 12.5%. whole? Will the percent
4 8 be greater than or less
9 can be expressed as 100% + 12.5% = 112.5%.
__ than 100%?
8
9 as 9 ÷ 8 = 1.125.
You could also interpret __
8
1.125 can be expressed as 112.5%.

4.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents • MHR 131

 Convert each fraction to a decimal and a percent.
3
a) ___
171
b) ____
88
c) ___
40 300 50

Example 2: Convert Decimals to Percents and Fractions

Convert each decimal to a percent and a fraction.
a) 3.26 b) 0.125 c) 0.0032

Solution
a) Use hundred grids.

3.26 = 3 full hundred grids plus 26 squares

326 = 326%.
That is ____
100
26 or 3 ___
3.26 = 3 ____ 13 .
What would you divide 100 50
into both the numerator
13 is in lowest terms.
Since 13 is a prime number, 3 ___
and denominator 50
326 163
of ____ to get ____?
326 163 13 in lowest terms.
____ can also be expressed as ____ or 3 ___
100 50 100 50 50

b)
125 since the 5 is in the thousandths place.
0.125 = _____
1000
12.5 or 12.5%.
0.125 can also be expressed as _____
100 125
How do you know _____
What factors of 125 divide 125 = __
1 1000
_____ 12.5
evenly into 1000? and ____ are equivalent?
1000 8 100

c)
32 since the 2 is in the ten thousandths place.
0.0032 = _______
10 000
0.32 or 0.32%.
0.0032 can also be written as _____
100 How do you know
32 2 32 0.32
What factors of 32 divide _______ = ____ that ______ and ____
10 000 100
evenly into 10 000? 10 000 625 are equivalent?

Convert each decimal to a percent and a fraction.

a) 0.0064 b) 0.268 c) 5.98

132 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 3: Convert Percents to Fractions and Decimals
Convert each percent to a decimal and a fraction.
a) 160% b) 0.35%
3
c) 25__%
5

Solution
a) You could represent 160% using hundred grids.
Is 160% greater
than or less than one
whole?

100
____ + 60
____ = 160
____
100 100 100
160 is equivalent to ___
____ 16 or __
8.
100 10 5 How do you know
160 as 160 ÷ 100 = 1.6.
You can interpret ____ 160
____ 8
and __ are equivalent?
100 100 5
16 , or __
So, 160% can be expressed as 1.6, ___ 8.
10 5

b)
0.35 .
Percent means out of 100. So, 0.35% can be written as _____ Is 0.35% greater
100 1
0.35 than or less than ____?
You can interpret _____ as 0.35 ÷ 100 = 0.0035. 100
100
35 , since the 5 is in the ten thousandths place.
0.0035 = _______
10 000
35 can be written in lowest terms as _____
_______ 7 .
What factors of 35 divide
10 000 2000
evenly into 10 000?

c) 25__ 3 %.
3 % can be expressed as 25% + __
5 5 3
Is 25__% greater
1 3 as 3 ÷ 5 = 0.6. 5
25% is 0.25 or . You can interpret __
__ 1
than or less than __?
4 5 4
3 % would be 0.6 ÷ 100 = 0.006. 256
__ Is _____ greater than or
1000
5 1
less than __? How do
3 % = 0.25 + 0.006
So, 25__
4
5 you know?
= 0.256
256 .
That is the same as _____ 256
What is _____ in
1000 1000
lowest terms? Show
3 256 .
25 % can be expressed as 0.256 or _____
__ your thinking.
5 1000

Convert each percent to a decimal and a fraction.

a) 750% b) 0.3%
3
c) 12__%
4

4.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents • MHR 133

 Example 4: Determine a Percent
For the past century, the north magnetic pole has been drifting across
the Canadian Arctic. Prior to the 1970s, the magnetic pole was drifting
at an average speed of 10 km/year. Since the 1970s, the speed at which
the magnetic pole has been drifting has increased to about 50 km/year.
The circumference of Earth is approximately 40 000 km.
a) What percent is the current speed of the original speed?
b) The circumference of Earth is approximately 40 000 km. At
50 km/year, what percent of Earth’s circumference will the pole
drift in one year?

Solution
a) The current speed is 50 km/year.
The original speed is 10 km/year.
Divide to find what percent the current speed is of the original speed.
50 = 5
___
10
500 .
Percent means out of 100. So, 5 = ____
100
So, 5 = 500%
The current speed is 500% of the original speed.

b) The circumference of Earth is 40 000 km.

The distance the pole drifts in one year is 50 km.
The amount of Earth’s circumference travelled in one year is
represented by
50 = ____
_______ 1
40 000 800
= 0.001 25
0.00125 = 0.125%
1 % of Earth’s
At 50 km/year, the pole will drift 0.125% or __
8
circumference in one year.
1
0.125 is equivalent to the fraction __.
8

Suppose that the speed at which the pole is drifting increased to

75 km/year.
a) What percent is 75 km/year of the original speed?
b) At 75 km/year, what percent of 40 000 km would the pole drift
in one year?

134 MHR • Chapter 4

 • Fractions, decimals, and percents can be used to represent numbers
in various situations.
• Percents can be written as fractions and as decimals.
1 % = 0.5%
__ 150
150% = ____ 3 % = 42.75%
42__
2 100 4
0.5
0.5% = ____ 1
= 1.5 or 1__ 42.75
42.75% = ______
100 2 100
= 0.005 = 0.4275

1. Kaitlyn and Jordan are converting 0.003 to a percent.

Who is correct? Show how you know.
Kaitlyn: Jordan:
0.003 = 3% 0.003 = 0.3%

2. Which number does not have the same value as the other three?
Explain your reasoning.
12 2.4 250% ___
___ 60
5 25

3. Teammates Mark and Jonas are discussing the outcome of a game.

Mark says their team scored 500% as many goals as the other
team and Jonas says they scored five times as many goals as the
other team. Can they both be correct? Explain how you know.

5. Rewrite each fraction as a decimal and

a percent.
51
a) ___
21
b) ____
3
c) ____
For help with #4 and #5, refer to Example 1 on
30 200 500
page 131.
For help with #6 and #7, refer to Example 2 on
4. Convert each fraction to a decimal and
page 132.
a percent.
1
a) ____
81
b) ____
7
c) __ 6. Convert each decimal to a percent and
250 200 5 a fraction.
a) 0.0072 b) 0.548 c) 3.45

4.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents • MHR 135

 7. Change each decimal to a percent and b)
a fraction.
a) 0.256 b) 0.0005 c) 6.5

For help with #8 and #9, refer to Example 3 on

page 133.
8. Convert each percent to a decimal and
a fraction. For help with #13 and #14, refer to Example 4 on
3 page 134.
a) 248% b) 0.56% c) 75__%
4
13. Several years ago Claire bought the first
9. Express each percent as a decimal and issue of a popular comic book for $10.
a fraction. At a recent auction, it sold for $200. What
9
a) 5___% b) 550% c) 0.8 %
percent is the new value of the comic book
10 of the price several years ago?
10. Copy and complete the following table.
The first row is completed for you. 14. A snack contains 0.9 g of fat. Suppose
that in one day, Shaun consumed a
Percent Fraction Decimal total of 40 g of fat, including the snack.
165% 165
____ 1.65 What percent of Shaun’s total fat
100 consumption does the snack represent?
a) 230% What is this percent as a decimal and
b) 0.38% as a fraction?
c) 19.9%
15. Use hundred grids to help place the
11. Express the shaded portion of each diagram following numbers in ascending order.
as a fraction, a decimal, and a percent. 5 %, 1.32, 0.65, 33.5%, 0.6%
145%, __
a) b) 8

16. A miner found 12 g of gold in a

2700-g sample of ore. What percent
of the sample is gold, to the nearest
tenth of a percent? What is the percent
as a repeating decimal and as a fraction
12. If one completely shaded grid represents one in lowest terms?
whole, express the shaded portion of each
diagram as a fraction, a decimal, and a percent. Literacy Link
a)
A repeating decimal contains a digit or group of
digits that repeat forever. You can write a
repeating decimal
__
using bar notation.
___
0.333 33… = 0.3 0.454 545… = 0.45

136 MHR • Chapter 4

17. A fundraising coordinator is preparing an 20. Kim’s resting heart rate was 75 beats per
advertising flyer for an upcoming event. She minute. A trainer advised Kim to have a
wants to use either a fraction or a decimal portion of her workout at 90 beats per
number to represent each of the percents in minute and a portion at 125 beats per
the following statements. Decide whether a minute, but not to exceed 150 beats per
fraction or a decimal number is better and minute. Express each heart rate compared
rewrite each statement using your chosen to the resting heart rate as a percent, a
representation. Justify your choices. fraction, and a decimal.
a) Ticket sales are 130% of what they
were at this time last year.
1
b) We are already at 60__% of our target
2
and we just started!
c) We have managed to cut our costs by
0.75%.

18. A fisheries worker recorded the following

species and numbers of fish passing by a
fish counter. Copy and complete the
following table.

Species Number
Percent
of Total
Fraction
of Total
Decimal
Equivalent
21. Copy and complete the first three rows of
the table. Use the patterns in the first three
Chinook 143
rows to complete the last two rows.
Coho 122
Steelhead 2 Percent Decimal Fraction
a) 1000
19. Over five years, the circulation of a b) 5.00
magazine increased from 25 000 copies 5
__
c)
to 150 000 copies. What percent is the 2
new circulation of the circulation five years d)
ago? What is this percent as a decimal and e)
as a fraction?

MATH LINK Earth’s Fresh Water

In 2002, NASA
Represent the percents shown in launched two
the circle graph in two other ways. satellites to measure
Glaciers groundwater
68.9% amounts from space!
Lakes and
Rivers 0.3% These satellites use
gravity to weigh
Groundwater Earth’s groundwater.
30.8%

4.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents • MHR 137

 Percent of a Number

Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to...
! solve problems
that involve
percents less
than 1%
! solve problems
involving percents
greater than 100%
! solve problems
involving
fractional percents You often use percents to make comparisons and help make decisions.
A fundraising team is raising money for a relief organization. The team
wants to use their profits for several purposes.
How could the team use percents to decide how much money to donate
Literacy Link for each purpose?
Profit is the amount
of money left over
after all expenses are
paid.

How can you solve problems involving percents?

Last year the fundraising team ran a school store and made 50__ 1%
2
profit. The school store usually has total sales of about $10 000 per year.

1. a) How much is 50% profit?

b) How much is 1% profit?
1
c) How much is __% profit?
2
1
d) How much is 50__% profit?
2
2. The committee wants to donate 10% of the store profits for
providing food.
a) What is 10% of the profit calculated in #1d)?
b) How could you determine 10% of a number mentally? Explain.

138 MHR • Chapter 4

 3. The committee knows that access to clean drinking water is critical
in preventing serious illness. They would like to donate 20% of their
profits for providing clean drinking water. How could you determine
20% of the profits mentally using your answer to #2?

4. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a simple yet inexpensive

medicine designed to fight dehydration. Oral rehydration
therapy (ORT) is a
a) If it costs $0.10 to prepare 1 L of ORT solution, how many mixture of water, salt,
litres of ORT can be prepared using the money from the __1% and sugar. It is used
2 to restore necessary
portion of the store profits? water content to
b) If the average adult needs about 4 L of ORT for adequate people who have
become dehydrated
1 % profit?
rehydration, how many adults can be treated using the __ because of illness or
2 a lack of proper
drinking water. What
Reflect on Your Findings do you think is the
purpose of the salt
5. How can you use mental math techniques to help you find the and the sugar?
percent of a number?

Example 1: Use Mental Math to Find the Percent of a Number

Use mental math to determine each of the following.
a) 150% of $5 b) 0.1% of $1000
1
c) 1__% of $20 000
2

Solution
a) 150% is 100% + 50%. Literacy Link
100% of 5 is 5. Halve means divide
50% is half of 100%. by two.
Double means
Use halving to find 50% of 5. multiply by two.
Half of 5 is 2.5.
150% of 5 is 5 + 2.5.
5 + 2.5 = 7.5
So, 150% of $5 is $7.50.
Strategies
Look for a Pattern
b) To determine 0.1% of $1000, divide repeatedly by tens.
100% of 1000 is 1000.
10% of 1000 is 100.
1% of 1000 is 10.
0.1% of 1000 is 1.
So, 0.1% of $1000 is $1.

4.3 Percent of a Number • MHR 139

 You could also c) Divide repeatedly by tens to reach 1%, and then divide by two.
determine 1.5% 100% of 20 000 is 20 000.
of $20 000 as: 10% of 20 000 is 2000.
30% of 20 000 is 6000. 1% of 20 000 is 200.
3% of 20 000 is 600. 1 % of 20 000 is 200 ÷ 2.
__
1.5% of 20 000 is 300. 2
200 ÷ 2 = 100
1 % of 20 000 is 200 + 100.
1__
2
200 + 100 = 300
1 % of $20 000 is $300.
So, 1__
2

Use mental math to determine each of the following.

a) 350% of $10
b) 0.1% of $5000
1
c) 2 ___% of $20 000
10

Example 2: Calculate the Percent of a Number

a) A survey showed that __1 % of 800 students use inline skates to get to
4
school. How many of the 800 students in a school use inline skates
to get to school?
3
b) 30 __% of 400 students surveyed said they own a cell phone. How
4
many of the students own a cell phone?
c) Adele invested $40.12 in a savings plan at the beginning of the
year. By the end of the year her investment was worth 120% of
its original value. How much was her investment worth, to the
nearest cent?

Literacy Link Solution

1
a) Determine __% of 800.
In math, the word of
4
often means to 1 % = 0.25%
__
multiply. 4
Divide by 100 to write the percent as a decimal.
0.25 ÷ 100 = 0.0025
10% of 800 is 80.
1% of 800 is 8. 0.0025 of 800 = 0.0025 × 800 C .0025 × 800 = 2.
_1_% of 800 is 2. =2
4
So, two students out of 800 students used inline skates to get to school.

140 MHR • Chapter 4

b)
3 % of 400.
Determine 30 __
4 10% of 400 is 40.
3
Since % is 0.75%, 30 __
__ 3 % = 30.75%.
4 4 30% of 400 is 120.
Divide by 100 to write the percent as a decimal. 1% of 400 is 4.
_1_% of 400 is 1.
30.75 ÷ 100 = 0.3075 4
0.3075 of 400 = 0.3075 × 400 C .3075 × 400 = 123. _3_% of 400 is 3.
4
= 123 3
30__% of 400 is 120 + 3.
4
So, 123 of the 400 students own a cell phone.
120 + 3 = 123
c) Determine 120% of $40.12.
Divide by 100 to write the percent as a decimal.
120 ÷ 100 = 1.2 To the nearest cent means to the
nearest hundredth of a dollar.
1.2 of 40.12 = 1.2 × 40.12 C 1.2 × 40.12 = 48.144
≈ 48.14
So, 120% of $40.12 is $48.14.
100% of 40.12 is
40.12.
10% of 40.12 is 4.012.
Determine the percent of each number. 20% of 40.12 is 8.024.
a) 160% of $53.27 120% of 40.12 is
3
b) __% of 135
40.12 + 8.024.
4 40.12 + 8.024 = 48.144
8
c) 55 ___% of 500
10

• You can use mental math strategies such as halving, doubling,

and dividing by ten to find the percents of some numbers.
• To calculate the percent of a number, write the percent as a
decimal and then multiply by the number.
1
1 % of 50 = 0.125 × 50 12__% = 12.5%
12__ 2
= 0.125
2
= 6.25

1. Explain to a classmate how you could use mental math to find

each of the following.
a) 300% of 40 b) 0.5% of 120
1
c) 10__% of 80
2
2. Describe two ways to find 6% of 120.

4.3 Percent of a Number • MHR 141

For help with #3 and #4, refer to Example 1 on 7. Two hundred tickets are being sold for a
pages 139–140. school draw.
a) What is your chance of winning with
3. Use mental math to determine each of
one ticket? Express your answer as
the following.
a percent.
a) 300% of 2000
b) How many tickets would you need
1
b) 1__% of 60 to purchase to have a 2.5% chance
4
c) 0.1% of 40
of winning?

4. Use mental math to find the following. 8. The original price of a jacket was $84.00.
A store manager marked the price down
a) 20% of 60 1 %. By how much was the price
by 25__
b) 250% of 400 2
1 reduced?
c) 10 __% of 100
2
9. The highest point in Canada is Mount
For help with #5 and #6, refer to Example 2 on Logan, which is in the Yukon Territory.
pages 140–141. Mount Logan is 159% as high as the highest
point in Alberta, Mount Columbia. The
5. Determine the percent of each number. elevation of Mount Columbia is 3747 m.
Give your answer to the nearest What is the elevation of Mount Logan?
hundredth.
2
a) __% of 325
5
1
b) 15__% of 950
4
c) 175% of $125.50

6. What is the percent of each number?

Give your answer to the nearest
hundredth.
5
a) __% of 520
8 10. When water freezes, its volume increases
2
b) 75__% of 200 by approximately 10%.
5
a) By how much does the volume of
c) 250% of $76.50 750 mL of water increase when it
freezes?
b) What is the volume of ice created?

142 MHR • Chapter 4

11. The area of Canada is approximately
9 984 670 km2. The area of Manitoba
1 % of the area of Canada.
is about 6__ 14. 4% of 100 is the same as 8% of what
2 number? Explain how you arrived at
What is the area of Manitoba to the
your answer.
nearest square kilometre?
15. A new video gaming system was
12. A manufacturer of electric hybrid vehicles
auctioned on the Internet. The starting
claims its vehicle will travel 200% as far
bid was $100. The second bid was
as its regular vehicle on a full tank of gas.
135% of the first bid. The third bid was
If the regular vehicle travels an average of
257% of the second bid. There were
550 km on a full tank, how far will the 1 % over
hybrid go? then five more bids, each 10__
2
the previous bid. The winning bid
came with only seconds left and was
only 0.1% greater than the previous
bid. What was the winning bid? What
assumptions did you make to arrive at
your answer?

16. Josephine scored 12 baskets out of

30 shots in her first basketball game
this year. Her scoring average was
13. Suppose a real estate agent receives 5% then 40%. The next game, she made
commission on the first $200 000 of a ten shots and raised her scoring
house’s selling price, and 6% on the average for both games to 50%. How
remaining amount. many of the ten shots in the second
a) What does commission mean? game were baskets?
b) If a house sells for $345 000, how
much commission does the real estate
agent make on the sale of the house?

MATH LINK
Water conservation is very important to protect local fresh Web Link
water supplies. Did you know that a swimming pool
cover can help reduce water loss by
a) Research at least three ways that your home, school, evaporation by 90%? To find data and
and community could reduce water consumption. tips on conserving water, go to
www.mathlinks8.ca and follow the links.
b) Develop three water math problems that ask how
much water you might save if you used some of these
ways of conserving.

4.3 Percent of a Number • MHR 143

 Combining Percents

Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to...
! solve problems
involving
combined
percents

Literacy Link Jesse and Jenna have $55 to purchase prizes for a school fundraiser.
PST means provincial The items cost $49.99 plus 5% GST and 7% PST. Do you think they
sales tax. PST varies will have enough money?
by province.
GST means goods When they reach the cashier, they discover that the store has a one-day
and services tax. GST sale—they only have to pay 50% of the tax. How much tax do you
is the same across
think they will have to pay?
Canada.

How can you combine percents?

1. A store advertises 40% off. You
purchase an item regularly priced
at $100. SA
LE 40%
OFF REGULAR PRICES
a) What is the discount for
the item?
b) What is the sale price of the item?
c) What percent of the original price are you paying?
d) How are the percent discount and the percent of the original
price related? Use a grid to explain your answer.
e) How could you estimate the price of something that has a
40% discount?

144 MHR • Chapter 4

 2. Suppose GST is 5% and PST is 7%. You purchase an item for $100.
a) Represent the GST and the PST on a hundred grid.
b) How much is the GST? the PST?
c) How much tax do you pay altogether?
d) What is your total tax as a percent of $100? How does this
percent value compare to the sum of the percent values for
GST and PST?
e) What decimal could you multiply $100 by to find the total
cost including tax?
Web Link
Not all provinces have
3. Suppose an item regularly priced at $200 is on sale for 10% off. the same PST. To learn
PST is 7% and GST is 5%. more about PST rates, go
to www.mathlinks8.ca
a) Write a multiplication expression to show how to determine
and follow the links.
the price of the item with the 10% discount applied. What is the rate of PST
b) Write a multiplication expression to show how to determine where you live?
the total amount of tax on the item in part a).
c) What is the total cost of the item including tax?

In Saskatchewan,
4. Caroline purchased a sweatshirt originally priced at $50. It was on PST is 5%. In Alberta
sale for 25% off. The PST where she lives is 5%. The GST is 5%. there is no PST. The
city of Lloydminster,
a) What is the cost of the sweatshirt before tax? Saskatchewan, is half
b) Caroline used the single expression 10% of 75% of $50 to in Alberta!
determine the total amount of tax. Explain why Caroline’s A provincial law
states that no PST is
expression is correct. paid in the whole
city. What might be a
reason for the law?
Reflect on Your Findings
5. a) Describe two ways that you can calculate the total tax on an item.
b) Which method do you prefer to use? Explain why.

Example 1: Combined Percents

Suppose GST is 5% and PST is 7%. Calculate the total tax and total
cost of a sound system that is priced at $250.

Solution
Method 1: Calculate the Taxes Separately
The GST is 5%.
5% is 0.05.
Multiply by the price to determine the amount of GST.
0.05 × 250 = 12.5
The amount of GST is $12.50.

4.4 Combining Percents • MHR 145

 10% of 250 is 25. The PST is 7%.
5% of 250 is 12.5. 7% is 0.07.
1% of 250 is 2.5. Multiply by the price to determine the amount of PST.
7% of 250 is 0.07 × 250 = 17.5
12.5 + 2.5 + 2.5 = 17.5. The amount of PST is $17.50.
Add the two tax amounts.
12.50 + 17.50 = 30.00.
The total tax is $30.00.
Total Cost = Cost of Item + Total Tax
= 250.00 + 30.00
= 280.00
The total cost of the sound system is $280.00.

Literacy Link Method 2: Combine the Tax Percents First

You can combine
The GST is 5%. The PST is 7%.
percents by adding The combined tax is 5% + 7% or 12%.
individual percent Convert the percent to a decimal.
values together. 12% = 0.12
Multiply by the price to determine the total amount of tax.
0.12 × 250 = 30
The total tax is $30.00.
Total Cost = Cost of Item + Total Tax
= 250.00 + 30.00
= 280.00
The total cost of the sound system is $280.00.

Method 3: Combine the Cost and Tax Percents

You could use a percent greater than 100% to find the total cost.
The cost of the sound system is 100%.
The PST is 7%.
The GST is 5%.
The cost of the sound system expressed as a percent of the original cost is
100% + 7% + 5% or 112%.
Convert the percent to a decimal.
112% = 1.12
Multiply by the price to determine the total cost.
1.12 × 250 = 280
The total cost of the sound system is $280.00.

A backpack costs $35. Use the method of your choice to find the
total cost of the backpack if GST is 5% and PST is 6%. Use another
method to check your work.

146 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 2: Percent of a Percent
Sports R Us offers a 10% off discount one day and then
an additional 10% off the sale price the next day. Sports Sports Galore!
y only
Galore offers a 20% discount on one day only. Keifer 20% off one da
wants to buy a new goalie mask that has a regular price
of $200 at both stores.
Sports R Us
a) Which store gives the better buy? Explain your reasoning. 10 % of f al re ad y
b) What single percent discount is equivalent to a discount re du ce d pr ic es !
of 10% one day followed by an additional discount of
10% off the sale price the second day?

Solution
a) Sports R Us Sports Galore
The discount on the first day is 10% of $200. The discount is 20% of $200.
10% of 200 = 0.10 × 200 20% of 200 = 0.20 × 200
= 20 = 40
Subtract to find the discount price. Subtract to find the discount price.
200 - 20 = 180 200 - 40 = 160
The discount price on the first day is $180. The discount price is $160.
The discount on the sale price the second
day is 10% of $180.
10% of 180 = 0.10 × 180
= 18
Subtract to find the discount price.
180 - 18 = 162
The discount price after the second day
is $162.

Sports Galore gives a better buy than Sports R Us. The 10%
discount followed by another 10% discount is not the same
as a 20% discount because the discount on the second day is
only 10% of $180 and not 10% of $200.

b) The original price is $200.

The selling price after two 10% discounts at Sports R Us is $162.
Subtract to find the total amount of the discount.
200 - 162 = 38
The total amount of the discount is $38.
Determine what percent the total discount is of the original price.
38 = 0.19
____
A 19% discount is less than
200 the single discount of 20%
The total discount is 19% of the original price. offered by Sports Galore.

4.4 Combining Percents • MHR 147

 What is the final sale price at each store? Which is a better buy?
Explain your thinking.
Store A: 50% off one day only
Store B: 25% off one day followed by 25% off the reduced price the
second day

• Percents can be combined by adding to solve problems. 5% + 7% = 12%

• To calculate the increase in a number,
You can add the combined percent You can multiply the original number
amount to the original number. by a single percent greater than 100.
12% of 100 = 0.12 × 100 = 12 112% of 100 = 1.12 × 100
100 + 12 = 112 = 112
• Percents of percents can be used to determine amounts that result from
consecutive percent increases or decreases.

1. Draw a diagram to show how you could represent the cost of a $100 item
with and without tax.
2. Your friend shows you how to calculate the cost of an item including tax
using several steps. You tell her that you can do the calculation in one step.
Show how you would do this.
3. Kyle says that a population increase of 15% one year followed by an
increase of 10% the next year is the same as a population increase of 25%
over two years. Is Kyle correct? Explain your reasoning.

5. Ravi purchased 3 DVDs for $19.99 each.

Find the total cost for the DVDs including
5% GST and 6% PST.
For help with #4 and #5, refer to Example 1 on For help with #6 and #7, refer to Example 2 on
pages 145–146. page 147.
4. Chris purchased the following items: 6. A store discounted items by 50% off the
• 2 binders at $4.99 each original price one week. The following
• 1 math set for $3.99 week an additional 10% was taken off the
• a backpack for $19.99 already reduced price. The regular price
Find the total cost including 5% GST of a CD player was $85.00. What is the
and 7% PST. reduced price in the second week?

148 MHR • Chapter 4

 7. A herd of 100 caribou was moved to a 11. A student is awarded a $1000 scholarship
new location. The population increased and places it in an account that pays 3%
by 10% the first year and then increased simple interest per year.
by 20% the second year. a) What is the total value of the scholarship
a) Find the population after the second amount at the end of the second year?
year. b) What is the single percent increase in
b) Explain why there was not a 30% value of the scholarship after two years?
increase in population over the two years.
12. Simon Whitfield of Victoria,
8. Copy and complete the following table. British Columbia, won the
Use 5% GST and the percent of PST men’s triathlon at the
applicable to where you live. Sydney Olympics. The race
Item Total Total consisted of a 1.5-km swim
Purchased Price Tax Cost in Sydney Harbour, a 40-km
a) Boots $119.99 bike ride through Sydney
and a 10-km run.
b) Pants $89.99
a) What percent of the race distance
c) Gloves $39.99
is each component? Express your
d) Helmet $189.99
answer to the nearest tenth of a percent.
b) What percent of the race distance
is spent on land? Express your answer
9. Arjay was thinking of buying a car worth to the nearest tenth of a percent.
$23 000, but delayed purchasing the car
for a year. During that year, the cost of the
car increased by 3.2%.
13. A ski jacket has been marked down on three
a) What was the price of the car when
occasions, first 20% off, then 25% off the
Arjay purchased it? new price, and finally 50% off the previous
b) What was the total cost of the car price. What is the overall percent saved?
including 5% GST and 5% PST?
14. The selling price of a DVD player is 35%
10. What is the total cost for four tires that more than its cost. It is sold at a discount
sell for $85 each, plus 5% GST and a of 20% off the selling price. How much
1.5% environment tax? does the store still gain?

MATH LINK
a) In one day, a dripping faucet wastes about 25 L of water. A regular toilet flush
uses 6 L of water per flush. If you flush your toilet 30 times a day, what percent
of the water used by your toilet is wasted by the dripping faucet?
3
b) ___% of the world’s fresh water is held in rivers and lakes. Approximately 9% of
10
that water is used for industry and may be returned to the environment polluted.
What percent of the world’s fresh water is used by industry?

4.4 Combining Percents • MHR 149