The document explains how to convert between decimals and percents by moving the decimal point two places. To convert a percent to a decimal, you divide by 100 and move the decimal left, while converting a decimal to a percent involves moving the decimal right and adding a percent sign. Several examples illustrate these conversions for clarity.

1. Converting Decimals & Percents
To convert between decimals and
percents move the decimal point
(exactly!) 2 places.
By Jim Olsen, W.I.U.
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2. Percent to Decimal
• Per means ‘divided by’
• Cent means 100
• Percent means ‘divided by 100’
• To convert a percent to a decimal, divide by 100,
which means to
move the decimal point two places to the left and
drop the percent sign.

3. 8%
8% = 8.% = .08

4. 70%
70% = 70.% = .70 = .7

5. More Examples
2.4% = 2.4% = .024
160% = 160.% = 1.6
123.456% = 1.23456
.12% = .0012
700% = 7

6. Decimal to Percent
• This is the reverse process, so go the other way.
• To convert a decimal to a percent, move the
decimal point two places to the right and put on
the percent sign.
.83 = 83%

7. Decimal to Percent Examples
• .09 = 9.% = 9%
• .6 = 60.% = 60%
• .375 = 37.5%
• .0008 = .08%
• 4.567 = 456.7%
• 2 = 200%

8. .007
(a percent less than 1%)
• .007 = .7% = 0.7%

9. 1.6
(a percent bigger than 100%)
• 1.6 = 160.% = 160%

10. Closing Notes
 Remember 
Percent means divided by 100, so to
convert a percent to a decimal divide
by 100 and drop the percent sign,
which means you need to move the
decimal point 2 places to the left.
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