Fractions, decimals, percentages
Three notations for the same idea. Year 5 connects them; Year 6 SATs expect fluent conversion.
Every fraction can be a decimal. Every decimal can be a percentage. The three are interchangeable. Year 6 children should convert fluently between all three notations for the common values.
Worked examples
½ = 0.5 = 50%.
¼ = 0.25 = 25%.
&frac{3}{20} = 0.15 = 15%. Divide top by bottom for the decimal; ×100 for the percentage.
Frequently asked questions
Why are these the same?
‘Per cent’ means ‘per hundred’. 50% is 50 out of 100, which equals ½. Decimals are just fractions with denominators of 10, 100, 1000 ...
Best route from any fraction?
Fraction → decimal: divide top by bottom. Decimal → percentage: multiply by 100 (or shift the decimal point two places right).