The exact answer to "2 percent of 50" is 1.
Finding a percentage of a number is a fundamental mathematical skill used in various real-world scenarios, from calculating discounts to understanding statistics. There are straightforward methods to determine 2% of 50.
Understanding Percentage Calculations
A percentage represents a fraction of 100. For example, "2 percent" (written as 2%) literally means 2 out of 100, or $\frac{2}{100}$. To find a percentage of any number, you're essentially figuring out what part of that number corresponds to the given percentage.
Methods to Calculate 2% of 50
Here are two effective ways to calculate 2% of 50:
Method 1: Using the 1% Rule
This method involves first finding the value of 1% of the given number and then scaling it up to the desired percentage.
- Find 1% of the number: To find 1% of any number, you divide that number by 100.
- For 50, 1% is $50 \div 100 = 0.5$.
- Multiply by the desired percentage: Once you have the value of 1%, multiply it by the percentage you want to find.
- Since we want 2%, multiply 0.5 by 2: $0.5 \times 2 = 1$.
Here's a quick breakdown:
| Step | Description | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find 1% of 50 | $50 \div 100$ | $0.5$ |
| 2 | Multiply by 2 | $0.5 \times 2$ | $1$ |
Therefore, 2% of 50 is 1.
Method 2: Converting Percentage to a Decimal
This is often the most direct method for percentage calculations.
- Convert the percentage to a decimal: To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide it by 100 (or move the decimal point two places to the left).
- 2% as a decimal is $2 \div 100 = 0.02$.
- Multiply the decimal by the number: Multiply this decimal by the number you're working with.
- $0.02 \times 50 = 1$.
Here’s the process in a table:
| Step | Description | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Convert 2% to a decimal | $2 \div 100$ | $0.02$ |
| 2 | Multiply by the number (50) | $0.02 \times 50$ | $1$ |
Both methods yield the same result, confirming that 2% of 50 is indeed 1.
Why is This Important?
Understanding how to calculate percentages is crucial for daily tasks such as:
- Shopping: Calculating sales tax, discounts, or tips.
- Finance: Understanding interest rates on loans or savings, or investment returns.
- Statistics: Interpreting data and understanding proportions in reports or news.
No matter the scenario, these simple methods make percentage calculations straightforward and accessible.
