What is a Percentage?
A Percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. It is denoted using the percent sign ”%“.
Whether you are calculating how much you saved on a discount, tipping at a restaurant, or figuring out your equity stake in a company, percentage calculations are the absolute foundation of financial literacy.
🎯 Financial Goal: To accurately calculate standard discounts, tips, and financial allocations without relying on rough estimates.
⚠️ Common Fear: “Is a 50% discount followed by a 20% discount the same as a 70% discount?” No! Retailers use this trick all the time. A 50% discount on ₹100 brings the price to ₹50. An additional 20% discount on that ₹50 brings the final price to ₹40. That is an effective total discount of 60%, not 70%.
💡 The Decision: Never add sequential percentages together. Always calculate the first percentage, find the new base value, and then calculate the second percentage on that new base.
Calculations Supported
This tool calculates the three most common percentage problems:
- What is X% of Y? (E.g., What is 18% of ₹50,000?)
- X is what percent of Y? (E.g., If you scored 45 out of 60, what is your percentage?)
- X is Y% of what number? (E.g., If ₹5,000 is 20% of your salary, what is your full salary?)