How can you express a percentage as a decimal?

To express a percentage as a decimal, you divide the percentage by 100. This is because the term "percent" itself means "per hundred." Therefore, converting a percentage to a decimal involves moving the decimal point two places to the left.

For example, if you take a percentage like 25%, you would divide it by 100:

25 ÷ 100 = 0.25.

This means 25% is equivalent to 0.25 as a decimal. This method applies universally for all percentages, allowing for easy conversion and comparison in calculations. Understanding this conversion is essential for various mathematical applications, ranging from financial calculations to statistical analyses.