Mathematics Specification A - 4MA1 PearsonEdexcel

Percentages

Overview

Percentages appear everywhere: exam scores, shop discounts, bank interest rates, population growth and tax calculations. Mastering them gives you a single, flexible tool for comparing proportions, measuring change and solving financial problems across the entire Edexcel IGCSE specification.

This topic builds from the basic idea that 'per cent' means 'per hundred', through conversions and calculations, all the way to reverse percentages and compound interest. You will see how the multiplier method turns multi-step percentage problems into a single multiplication, saving time and reducing errors on both calculator and non-calculator papers.

Objectives

  1. Understand that 'percentage' means 'number of parts per 100'
  2. Express a given number as a percentage of another number
  3. Express a percentage as a fraction and as a decimal
  4. Understand the multiplicative nature of percentages as operators
  5. Solve simple percentage problems, including percentage increase and decrease
  6. Use reverse percentages
  7. Use compound interest and depreciation
  8. [Higher] Use repeated percentage change
  9. [Higher] Solve compound interest problems

Lesson Note

Imagine two students: one scores 18 out of 25, the other scores 29 out of 40. Who did better? Raw marks are hard to compare, but converting to percentages (72% versus 72.5%) makes the answer immediate. Percentages give us a universal scale out of 100, and that simplicity is why they dominate everything from exam grades to interest rates.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Percentages. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. What is 3/8 as a percentage? A) 37% B) 37.5% C) 38% D) 38.5% Answer: B
  2. A shirt costs $50 and is reduced by 20%. What is the sale price? A) $10 B) $30 C) $40 D) $45 Answer: C
  3. After a 10% increase, a price becomes $55. What was the original price? A) $45 B) $49.50 C) $50 D) $54 Answer: C
  4. What multiplier represents a 35% decrease? A) 0.35 B) 0.65 C) 1.35 D) 1.65 Answer: B
  5. Which of these is equivalent to 0.4%? A) 4/10 B) 4/100 C) 4/1000 D) 4/10000 Answer: C

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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