Mathematics (4024)
Topic 2 of 5Cambridge O Levels

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

Converting between them and using them in real life

Fractions, decimals, and percentages are three ways to represent the same thing!


Converting Between Them:

  • Fraction → Decimal: Divide top by bottom (¾ = 3÷4 = 0.75)
  • Decimal → Percentage: Multiply by 100 (0.75 × 100 = 75%)
  • Percentage → Fraction: Put over 100 and simplify (75% = 75/100 = ¾)

  • Common Conversions to Memorize:

    ½ = 0.5 = 50% | ¼ = 0.25 = 25% | ¾ = 0.75 = 75%

    ⅓ ≈ 0.333 ≈ 33.3% | ⅕ = 0.2 = 20% | ⅛ = 0.125 = 12.5%


    Percentage Increase/Decrease:

  • Increase: New value = Original × (1 + rate/100)
  • Decrease: New value = Original × (1 - rate/100)
  • % Change = (Change / Original) × 100

  • Profit & Loss:

  • Profit % = (Profit / Cost Price) × 100
  • Loss % = (Loss / Cost Price) × 100

  • Simple & Compound Interest:

  • Simple: I = PRT/100 (same interest each year)
  • Compound: A = P(1 + R/100)ⁿ (interest on interest!)
  • Key Points to Remember

    • 1Fraction → Decimal: divide. Decimal → %: multiply by 100
    • 2% increase: multiply by (1 + rate/100)
    • 3Profit% = (Profit/Cost Price) × 100
    • 4Compound interest: A = P(1 + R/100)ⁿ

    Pakistan Example

    Eid Sale Discounts

    Khaadi announces a 30% Eid sale. A kurta originally costs Rs 5,000. Discount = 30% of 5000 = Rs 1,500. Sale price = Rs 3,500. But wait — they also have 'Buy 2 Get Extra 10% off'! If you buy 2 kurtas: 2 × 3,500 = Rs 7,000. Extra 10% off: 7,000 × 0.90 = Rs 6,300. Total saving = Rs 10,000 - Rs 6,300 = Rs 3,700 (37% total discount!). Understanding percentages helps you spot real deals vs marketing tricks.

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