Year 6 - Maths
Explain how to solve problems where the percentage part and size is known but the whole is unknown
Understanding percentages
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will explain what percent means and how to represent a percentage in different ways. They will learn how to convert percentages to decimals and fractions and solve conversion problems.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to solve problems where a percentage part is known but the whole is unknown.
Key Notes
- If I know about a part, I can work out the whole from that part.
- If I know what 10% is, I can multiply by 10 to calculate 100%.
- If the part is a factor of 100, I can multiply the part by the other factor to calculate the whole.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Percentage: A percentage is a proportion of a whole.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may not always instantly recognise that a percentage part is a factor of 100
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
If I know about a part, I can work out the whole from that part. If I know what 10% is, I can multiply by 10 to calculate 100%.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Percentage'
A percentage is a proportion of a whole. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may not always instantly recognise that a percentage part is a factor of 100. Correction: Discuss factors of 100 with the pupils, for example, as factor pairs. Allow them to keep these displayed to refer to throughout the lesson if needed to help make this connection.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Explain how to convert a percentage to a fraction without a denominator of 100 Study Guide
- Explain how to convert percentages to decimals and fractions with a denominator of 100 Study Guide
- Explain what percent means and represent a percentage in different ways Study Guide
- Solve problems involving percentages in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Solve problems where the known percentage part and size represents a change to the whole Study Guide
- Use knowledge of calculating 50%, 10% and 1% of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Use knowledge of calculating any percentage of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Use knowledge of calculating common percentages of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Use knowledge of fraction-decimal-percentage conversions to solve problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.