Finding 75 percent
Combine 50% and 25% or use three quarters.
Quick answer
You can find 75 percent of a number by either adding 50% and 25% of that number together, or by finding three quarters of the number.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to find 75 percent of any number by using either:
- Adding 50% and 25% of the number
- Finding three quarters of the number
Success signs:
- You can explain how to find 75% using two different methods
- You can calculate 75% of 20, 40, and 80 correctly
- You can solve a problem involving 75% in a real situation
- You can help a friend understand how to find 75%
Why this matters
Knowing how to find 75% is useful in many everyday situations. When you're shopping and see a 25% off sale, you need to know how much you save. When you're splitting a pizza with friends, you might need to work out 75% of the slices. You'll also use this skill in school maths, especially when solving word problems and understanding fractions.
Understanding 75% also helps you understand that percentages are just parts of a whole, and that 75% means 75 out of 100. This makes it easier to understand other percentages like 25%, 50%, and 100%.
How it works
There are two main ways to find 75% of a number:
- Method 1: Add 50% and 25% - First, find 50% of the number (which is half), then find 25% of the number (which is a quarter), and add them together.
- Method 2: Find three quarters - Think of 75% as three quarters (3/4) of the number. So you can divide the number by 4 and then multiply by 3.
Let's look at how these methods work with examples.
Examples you can see
Let's try to find 75% of 20 using both methods.
Method 1: Add 50% and 25%
Step 1: Find 50% of 20
50% of 20 = 20 ÷ 2 = 10
Step 2: Find 25% of 20
25% of 20 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Step 3: Add them together
10 + 5 = 15
So 75% of 20 = 15
Method 2: Find three quarters
Step 1: Divide 20 by 4
20 ÷ 4 = 5
Step 2: Multiply by 3
5 × 3 = 15
So 75% of 20 = 15
Both methods give the same answer! Let's try another example with 40.
Method 1: Add 50% and 25%
Step 1: Find 50% of 40
50% of 40 = 40 ÷ 2 = 20
Step 2: Find 25% of 40
25% of 40 = 40 ÷ 4 = 10
Step 3: Add them together
20 + 10 = 30
So 75% of 40 = 30
Method 2: Find three quarters
Step 1: Divide 40 by 4
40 ÷ 4 = 10
Step 2: Multiply by 3
10 × 3 = 30
So 75% of 40 = 30
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you're a chef at a big party. You have 60 cupcakes for the guests, and you want to make sure you have enough for everyone. You know that 75% of the cupcakes will be eaten. How many cupcakes will be eaten?
Step 1: Find 50% of 60
50% of 60 = 60 ÷ 2 = 30 cupcakes
Step 2: Find 25% of 60
25% of 60 = 60 ÷ 4 = 15 cupcakes
Step 3: Add them together
30 + 15 = 45 cupcakes
Answer: 45 cupcakes will be eaten
Alternatively, you could use the three quarters method:
Step 1: Divide 60 by 4
60 ÷ 4 = 15 cupcakes
Step 2: Multiply by 3
15 × 3 = 45 cupcakes
Either way, you know that 45 cupcakes will be eaten at the party!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking 75% means 75 out of 100, but not knowing how to calculate it
- Why it happens: Students might not understand that percentages are parts of a whole
- Fix: Remember that 75% means 75 out of 100, so you can think of it as three quarters or three parts out of four equal parts
- Mistake: Forgetting to divide by 4 when finding 25%
- Why it happens: Students might confuse 25% with 25, not realising that 25% means 25 out of 100
- Fix: Remember that 25% means a quarter, so divide by 4 to find one quarter
- Mistake: Adding 50% and 25% but getting the wrong answer
- Why it happens: Careless calculation or not double-checking work
- Fix: Check your division and addition steps carefully, and try the other method to confirm your answer
Parent and carer guide
Helping your child with finding 75% is simple and fun! Here's how:
- Start with small numbers like 20 or 40 to make it easier
- Use real-life examples like sharing pizza or calculating discounts
- Ask your child to explain how they found the answer
- Encourage them to use both methods to check their work
- Make it a game by timing how quickly they can find 75% of different numbers
Remember, it's okay if they make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn! When they get it wrong, help them understand why and try again.
Ask questions like: "How did you figure that out?" or "Can you show me another way to find 75%?" These questions help them think more deeply about the maths.
Practice questions
- Find 75% of 12
- Find 75% of 36
- Find 75% of 48
- Find 75% of 80
- Find 75% of 100
Answers:
- 75% of 12 = 9
- 75% of 36 = 27
- 75% of 48 = 36
- 75% of 80 = 60
- 75% of 100 = 75
FAQ
What does 75% mean?
75% means 75 out of 100. It's like having 75 pieces of a pie that is divided into 100 equal pieces.
Why is 75% the same as three quarters?
Because 75 out of 100 is the same as 3 out of 4. When you divide both numbers by 25, you get 3/4.
Can I use any number to find 75%?
Yes! You can find 75% of any number using either method we've shown you.
How do I know which method is easier?
Try both methods with a number and see which one feels easier for you. Some numbers work better with one method than the other.
What if I forget how to find 75%?
Remember that 75% is the same as 3/4. So you can always divide by 4 and multiply by 3, or find 50% and 25% and add them.