To find 20 percent of 16, we need to understand what percent means. The term "percent" comes from the Latin words "per centum," which means "by hundred." Thus, 20 percent is equivalent to 20/100 or 0.20. This value represents the proportion of the whole that we are interested in. In mathematical terms, finding 20 percent of a number involves multiplying that number by 0.20.
Calculation Steps
The calculation to find 20 percent of 16 is straightforward and involves two steps: converting the percentage to a decimal and then multiplying this decimal by the number in question, which is 16.
Step 1: Convert Percentage to Decimal
The first step is to convert 20 percent into a decimal. As mentioned, to do this, we divide the percentage value by 100. Thus, 20 percent becomes 20 / 100 = 0.20.
Step 2: Multiply by the Number
Now that we have the decimal equivalent of 20 percent, which is 0.20, we multiply this by 16 to find 20 percent of 16. The calculation is as follows: 0.20 * 16.
The multiplication of 0.20 by 16 yields 3.20. Therefore, 20 percent of 16 is 3.20.
| Calculation Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Percentage | 20% |
| Decimal Equivalent | 0.20 |
| Number | 16 |
| Result | 3.20 |
Real-World Applications
Understanding how to calculate percentages is crucial in numerous real-world scenarios. For instance, in sales, a 20 percent discount on a 16 item would mean the customer pays 3.20 less than the original price. In finance, if an investment yields a 20 percent return on 16, the investor would gain 3.20.
Examples of Percentages in Finance
In the context of savings accounts or investments, percentages are key. If a savings account offers a 2 percent annual interest rate on a deposit of 1,000, the account holder would earn 20 in interest over a year. This example illustrates how percentages directly affect financial decisions and outcomes.
The calculation of percentages, such as finding 20 percent of 16, is fundamental to making informed decisions in personal finance, business, and other areas where numerical data drives choices.
What does calculating percentages involve?
+Calculating percentages involves converting the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100 and then multiplying this decimal by the number in question.
How is the decimal equivalent of a percentage used?
+The decimal equivalent of a percentage is used to calculate the proportion of a number that the percentage represents. For example, to find 20 percent of 16, we convert 20 percent to 0.20 and then multiply 0.20 by 16.
