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Write 2% as a decimal

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Percents, decimals and fractions · Foundations

Step by step

The question

Question: write 2% as a decimal.

2%

1 Write it over 100

Percent means out of 100.

So 2% is 2/100.

= 2100

Careful!

2% is 2 out of 100, not out of 10.

Many people write 0.2.

Careful: not 2% = 0.2 ✗

2 Write the decimal

100 has 2 zeros.

So the decimal has 2 digits after the point.

We fill the gap with a 0 after the point.

100: 2 zeros → 2 digits after the point

2 hundredths is 0.02.

= 0.02

The short way: the point moves 2 places to the left.

2% → 0.02
the point moves 2 places left

3 Check

Let's check: go back.

0.02 is 2 hundredths.

So it is 2%.

So the answer is right!

Check: 0.02 = 2100 = 2%

Let's look back.

First: write it over 100.

Then: write the decimal.

Last: check.

Answer
= 0.02

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Write 3%
Show the answer
0.03

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