Protsente

Protsente, or percentages, are a way to express a part of a whole as a fraction of 100. A percent is denoted with the percent sign (%); for example, 25 protsenti equals 25 out of 100, or 0.25 in decimal form.

To convert between decimals and percent, multiply by 100 and add the percent sign. To convert a percent to a decimal, divide by 100. To convert a fraction to a percent, multiply by 100 and add %. This makes it possible to compare quantities that are measured on different scales.

The term derives from Latin per centum meaning by the hundred. In many languages the word is borrowed from German or French forms of the same idea. In Estonian and related languages, protsente or protsent is the term used for the concept of percentages.

Common uses include finance and economics (interest rates, discounts, tax calculations), statistics and survey results, education (grading scales), and science (measurement and uncertainty). Percentages provide a convenient way to describe proportions, probabilities, and changes in a standardized scale.

A few common cautions help prevent misinterpretation. “Percentage points” describe an absolute change in percent values, not a relative change. Rounding can affect conclusions, so it is important to specify the rounding method. When comparing changes over different bases, it is essential to note the original values, since a small percentage change on a large base may be less significant than a larger change on a smaller base.