Carpentry & Building Construction © 2004

Converting Decimals to Percents

A number can be expressed as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent. For example, 1/2 = 0.5 = 50 percent. Carpenters need to be able to convert decimals to percents, especially when figuring expenses and income related to a job. Percent means per one hundred or by the hundred. The symbol for percent is %. A decimal is a number expressed in powers of ten.

To convert a decimal to a percent, multiply by one hundred. A quick way to do this manually is simply to move the decimal point two places to the right. If using a calculator, input the decimal and then multiply the decimal by 100. In either case, add the percent symbol to the result.

 Practice Exercise

Problem Exercises

1.		Convert 0.781 to a percent.
			A)	.781
			B)	0.781%
			C)	7.81%
			D)	78.1%
2.		Convert 0.025 to a percent.
			A)	2.5
			B)	2.5%
			C)	0.25
			D)	0.25%
3.		A carpenter just purchased nails and materials from a supplier. The sales tax is figured as 0.065 times the total cost on the receipt. What is the percent of sales tax?
			A)	0.06%
			B)	0.065%
			C)	6.5%
			D)	65%
4.		A builder figured allowable waste material for a job by multiplying the total material by 0.150. What is the percent of waste?
			A)	15.0%
			B)	1.50%
			C)	0.150%
			D)	115.0%
5.		A mason ordered a shipment of blocks for a job and figured the waste at 0.030. What is the percent of waste for the block materials?
			A)	0.03%
			B)	3.0%
			C)	30%
			D)	030%