# Quick percentage computing question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-percentage-computing-question/171740 "2003-04-28T18:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-percentage-computing-question/171740/1 "2003-04-28T18:20:09Z")
My brain hurts, and I can’t figure out not one more percentage today, but I have to get this report done. Help! Y’all folks what can do percentages and stuff: **What percentage is 16 out of 60? And what percentage is 23 out of 60?** How do I figure this out on a calculator or even by using a pen and a piece of paper? I can’t figure out what formula to use to figure out percentages. I will say that I’m not asking anyone to do my homework for me, as I’m not officially a student. Doing math just makes my brain hurt, and I just can’t take it any more! :mad: Thanks for y’all’s help. [celestina taking two Alleve and massaging her temples.] ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-percentage-computing-question/171740/2 "2003-04-28T18:23:08Z")
16/60 = 0.267 = 27% 23/60 = 0.383 = 38% ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-percentage-computing-question/171740/3 "2003-04-28T18:28:20Z")
Just divide 16 by 60: ```auto 0 . 266..... ________ 60 | 16 . 000 12 . 0 ------- 4 . 00 3 . 60 ------- 0 . 400 0 . 360 --------- 0 . 040 ...(repeating) ``` = 0.2666… = 26.7% Just divide the smaller number by the bigger number. Easy. ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-percentage-computing-question/171740/4 "2003-04-28T18:33:41Z")
Thank you, **Jabba & Bryan Ekers**. 🙂 [sigh] I have no idea how I got these other percentages, but now at least I’ll know how to check them and make sure that they’re correct.