Reviewed by Laila A. Lico
What is 20% of 120?
Answer: 20% of 120 is 24
Finding a percentage of a number means determining what portion that percent represents out of the whole. In this case, calculating 20% of 120 allows you to find out what number is equal to one-fifth of 120, since 20% is the same as one fifth or 0.2.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Multiplication Method
You can convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply it by the number to find the part.
Step 1: Step 1: Convert 20% to a decimal by dividing by 100 (20 ÷ 100 = 0.2)
Step 2: Step 2: Multiply the decimal (0.2) by 120 (0.2 × 120)
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Fraction Method
A percentage can also be written as a fraction, making it easy to multiply.
Step 1: Step 1: Write 20% as a fraction, which is 20/100 or 1/5
Step 2: Step 2: Multiply 1/5 by 120
Step 1:
Step 2:
Math Tutor suggests: Practice More Percentage Calculations
Strengthen your understanding of finding percentages of numbers with these similar exercises.
FAQ on Percentages
How do I convert a percentage to a decimal?
Divide the percentage by 100; for example, 20% becomes 0.2.
Can I find any percentage of a number using the same method?
Yes, convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply by the number.
What does it mean if I say 20% of a number?
It means you're finding the value that represents 20 parts out of 100 of that number.
Is 20% of 120 the same as 120% of 20?
No, 20% of 120 is 24, but 120% of 20 is 24 as well in this particular case, but the calculation process considers which number the percent is applied to.
What are common uses for percentage calculations?
Percentages are often used in finance, discounts, statistics, and data interpretation.