The Complete Mathematical Guide to Percentages
The term percent originates from the Latin per centum, meaning "by the hundred." A percentage is simply a dimensionless ratio expressed as a fraction of 100 (symbolized by %).
1. Essential Percentage Formulas in LaTeX
- Percentage of a Value: $$\text{Amount} = \frac{P}{100} \times \text{Base}$$
- Rate / Percentage Proportion: $$P = \frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Whole}} \times 100\%$$
- Percent Change: $$\Delta\% = \frac{\text{New} - \text{Original}}{\text{Original}} \times 100\%$$
- Percent Difference: $$\text{Diff}\% = \frac{|\text{Value}_1 - \text{Value}_2|}{\frac{\text{Value}_1 + \text{Value}_2}{2}} \times 100\%$$
2. Practical Applications
Percentages govern everyday commerce, taxation (sales tax, VAT), retail discounts, financial interest calculations (APR, APY), health statistics, and school grades.