A ratio is a comparison of two quantities using division.  It is simply a fraction.  A proportion by definition is two equivalent ratios.  Which means 2 equal fractions to put it in to common language so that we understand it better.

Finding the Percent of a Number using a percent proportion

A percent equation looks like this:

“What percent of what is what”      ______%   of _______ is _______

Most of the questions you will see will be in the form of a percent equation.  When you see the questions come that way you will find a solution by setting up a proportion and cross multiplying.

Example:  What is 20% of 50? 

To solve this example you are going to set up two fractions using the formula.  You will use x for your is number.  Your percent is 20.  50 is the of number.  So your fractions will be x over 50 equals 20 over 100.

Multiply (20 x 50) then divide by 100 = 10