I am surprised how often this question comes up.  Here is an example of what the title means.


On my paycheck I made             $720.00

My union dues cost                    $  43.20

 

What percent of my paycheck goes to union dues?  Here is how to solve this type of question, you will need a calculator.

 

___________ ÷  _____________ %

Small number         Large number

 

Type that into a calculator, 43.20 ÷ 720 % (Don’t press the = button).

The answer is 6.  The union takes out 6% of your paycheck for dues.
 

Here is another example, you need at least 12% of the votes to be nominated.  There are 568 people voting.  You received 72 votes, what percentage of the votes did you get?

 
72 is what percent of 568?  Type into a calculator:

 
72 ÷ 568 % don’t press the = button.  Only press 7 buttons, 7 2 ÷ 5 6 8 % the answer will be 12.676056, just over 12%.  You received 12% of the votes, you will be nominated!

 
Anytime you want to know what percent one number is of another number type this into a calculator,

 
Small number ÷ bigger number %

        #          ÷       #       %