How to Add Percentages: Methods and Examples
Adding percentages is a fundamental mathematical operation that can be approached in two distinct methods.
Method 1: Adding Percentage Values Directly
-
Convert percentages to decimal form: If a percentage is given, convert it to its decimal form by dividing it by 100. For example, 25% becomes 0.25.
-
Add the decimal values: Simply add the decimal values obtained from the percentages. For instance, 25% + 15% = 0.25 + 0.15 = 0.40 (40%).
Method 2: Calculating Percentages and Then Adding
-
Find the percentages of the numbers: Multiply each number by its corresponding percentage in decimal form.
-
Add the results: Sum up the values obtained from step 1. For example, 150 × 0.20 + 200 × 0.15 = 30 + 30 = 60.
Choose the method that best fits your scenario. If you already have percentages in decimal form, method 1 might be simpler. If you have the original numbers and percentages, method 2 is more suitable.