Math Is Fun Forum

kittykat01

Member

Registered: 2010-01-02

Posts: 3

Convert percentage to decimal

The examples show that the decimal point moves - it doesn't, the decimal point never moves - the digits move.  I am already trying to undo some bad maths teaching and getting kids to understand place value.  I have really enjoyed looking through this web site and will use some of it in class (not this page though):)

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Convert percentage to decimal

Hi, and thanks for the comment.

The examples show that the decimal point moves - it doesn't, the decimal point never moves - the digits move.

This must be a point of ignorance for me ... does it matter which one moves, and why?

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Convert percentage to decimal

This must be a point of ignorance for me ... does it matter which one moves, and why?

I don't think it matters, how you view it. Saying that the decimal point moves 2 places to the right (or to the left ) is how I was taught.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
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iamfriendly

Member

Registered: 2009-07-03

Posts: 72

Re: Convert percentage to decimal

Well, in my opinion, moving the decimal point is easier than moving all the digits

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LQ

Real Member

Registered: 2006-12-04

Posts: 1,285

Re: Convert percentage to decimal

To convert % to , you divide by 100 and hence you make your answer one hundred times smaller.

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I see clearly now, the universe have the black dots, Thus I am on my way of inventing this remedy...