Percentage of a Number

What percentage of a number means

You learn how to find part of a whole amount when a percentage is given. This helps you answer money, data and everyday sharing questions more quickly.

What you will practise

Find 50% of an amount by halving it.
Find 10% of a number by dividing by 10.
Find 25% of an amount by dividing by 4.
Work out other simple percentages from given numbers.

Before you start

You should be comfortable with multiplication, division and fractions of amounts. It also helps to know how to convert simple percentages into halves, quarters and tenths.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

What is 50% of 80?

Answer: 40

Working: 50% is half: 80 ÷ 2 = 40.

Common mistakes to avoid

Forgetting that 50% means half, not 50 added to the number.
Dividing by the wrong number when finding 10% or 25%.
Using the percentage as the answer instead of the amount it represents.
Missing the relationship between fractions, decimals and percentages.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES Basic 7 to 9 syllabusBECE

This topic normally appears in the percentages section of Junior High School mathematics in Ghana, where learners build skills for solving everyday problems. It supports BECE preparation by training you to handle percentage questions accurately and quickly.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.