Year 6 - Maths
Use knowledge of calculating 50%, 10% and 1% of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts
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 calculate 50%, 10% and 1% of a number and use this to solve problems.
Key Notes
- To find 50% of a number, halve it.
- To find 10% of a number, divide it by 10
- To find 1% of a number, divide it by 100
Vocabulary To Learn
- Percentage: A percentage is a proportion of a whole.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle when finding 10% or 1% of numbers that include zero.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
To find 50% of a number, halve it. To find 10% of a number, divide it by 10.
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 struggle when finding 10% or 1% of numbers that include zero. Correction: Draw attention to zero being a placeholder within specific numbers. Some pupils may still need to use resources such as number cards and place value charts to physically move the digits to develop their confidence in dividing by 10 and 100.
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 how to solve problems where the percentage part and size is known but the whole is unknown 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 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.