Converting 12 1/3 Percent to a Fraction: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding how to convert percentages to fractions is a fundamental skill in mathematics. In this article, we'll walk through the process of converting 12 1/3 percent to a fraction, using straightforward steps and detailed explanations. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to handle similar conversions confidently.

Understanding Percentages

Percentage means per hundred. When you encounter a percentage, think of it as a fraction or a decimal that can be converted to a fraction. For example, 12.5 percent can be written as 12.5/100, which simplifies to 1/8.

Converting 12 1/3 to an Improper Fraction

12 1/3 is a mixed fraction. To convert it to an improper fraction, follow these steps:

Multiply the integer by the denominator and add the numerator: 12 * 3 1 37. So, 12 1/3 is equivalent to 37/3. Write the improper fraction over 100 to convert it to a percentage:

37/3 * 1/100 37/300

Therefore, 12 1/3 percent can be expressed as 37/300.

Step-by-Step Conversion Process

Let's break down the conversion process in detail:

1. Convert the Mixed Fraction to an Improper Fraction

12 1/3 can be converted to an improper fraction as follows:

Multiply the integer (12) by the denominator (3): 12 * 3 36. Add the numerator (1) to the result: 36 1 37. The improper fraction is 37/3.

2. Convert the Percentage to a Fraction

Percents are essentially fractions over 100. Therefore, to convert 37/3 percent to a fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by 1/100:

37/3 * 1/100 37/300

Alternative Method

While the above method is common, here’s an alternative approach:

Divide the decimal by 100: 12.33/100. Simplify the fraction: 1233/10000 can be simplified to 37/300.

Both methods lead to the same result: 37/300.

Conclusion

Converting 12 1/3 percent to a fraction is a straightforward process that involves converting the mixed number to an improper fraction and then dividing by 100. Understanding these steps will help you convert similar percentages with ease.

Key Points to Remember: 12 1/3 percent as a fraction is 37/300. Per means per hundred, and this is how you convert percentages to fractions. Improper fractions are useful for representing mixed numbers accurately.