9 is 75% of 12.
Understanding how to calculate percentages is a fundamental skill in mathematics, useful for everything from calculating discounts to interpreting statistics. When asked "What percent of 12 is 9?", you're essentially determining what portion of the total (12) is represented by a specific amount (9).
How to Calculate a Percentage
To find what percentage one number is of another, you typically follow these steps:
- Form a Fraction: Express the relationship as a fraction where the "part" is the numerator and the "whole" is the denominator.
- Convert to a Decimal: Divide the numerator by the denominator to get a decimal value.
- Convert to a Percentage: Multiply the decimal by 100 and add the percent symbol (%).
Let's apply these steps to determine what percent of 12 is 9.
Step-by-Step Calculation
Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:
| Step | Description | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Form the Fraction | Identify the "part" (the number you want to express as a percentage) and the "whole" (the total amount). Place the part over the whole. | $\frac{9}{12}$ |
| 2. Simplify the Fraction | (Optional but recommended) Simplify the fraction to its lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF). The GCF of 9 and 12 is 3. | $\frac{9 \div 3}{12 \div 3} = \frac{3}{4}$ |
| 3. Convert to a Decimal | Divide the numerator by the denominator. | $3 \div 4 = 0.75$ |
| 4. Convert to a Percentage | Multiply the decimal result by 100 and append the percent sign (%). | $0.75 \times 100 = 75\%$ |
Following these steps, 9 out of 12 is indeed 75%. This means that 9 represents three-quarters of 12.
Practical Applications
Calculating percentages is incredibly common in daily life. For instance:
- Grades: If you scored 9 out of 12 on a quiz, your grade is 75%.
- Discounts: A sale offering 25% off means you pay 75% of the original price.
- Statistics: Understanding that 75% of a group prefers a certain product gives insight into consumer preferences.
