Percent vs. Fraction: What's the Difference for 7th Grade Math?

📚 What is a Percent?

A percent is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. The word "percent" comes from the Latin "per centum," meaning "out of one hundred." We use the percent symbol, %, to show it. For example, 25% means 25 out of 100.

• ➗ Definition: A ratio that compares a number to 100.
• 💯 Symbol: Represented by the % symbol.
• 🧮 Example: 50% means 50 out of 100, or $\frac{50}{100}$.

➗ What is a Fraction?

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It's written with a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number), separated by a fraction bar. The denominator tells you how many total parts there are, and the numerator tells you how many parts you have.

• ⅕ Definition: A number that represents a part of a whole.
• ✍️ Components: Consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).
• 🍕 Example: $\frac{1}{4}$ represents one part of a whole that is divided into four equal parts.

🆚 Percent vs. Fraction: Side-by-Side Comparison

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 🔄 Interchangeable: Percents and fractions are different ways of expressing the same idea – a part of a whole.
• 🧮 Conversion: You can easily convert between percents and fractions. To change a percent to a fraction, divide the percent by 100 and simplify. To change a fraction to a percent, divide the numerator by the denominator and multiply by 100.
• 💡 Tip: Understanding both percents and fractions gives you more flexibility in solving math problems and understanding real-world situations.