How to subtract 10 percent from a number

Download Article

To subtract a percent from a percent, simply ignore the percent sign and subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers. The result will be a difference in percentage points. These problems involve basic mathematical operations and are simple to solve.

Steps

1. 

   1

   Understand that subtraction of percentages may be done in several ways: You can convert the percent to a fraction or decimal. While you might need to subtract a percent from a percent when working in finance, if you are working on homework you more likely will come across problems where you need to subtract a percent from a whole number.

   • Three of the methods and examples below each have an elegant/straight forward alternative technique that cuts away the complexity of awkward conversions that are optional.

Advertisement

1. 

   1

   Understand a percentage as a fraction, as a number out of 100. So convert a percentage to a fraction, place the percent in the numerator, and 100 in the denominator.[1]

2. 

   2

   Subtract the numerators. When subtracting fractions that have the same denominator, you simply subtract the numerators, then place the difference over the original denominator.[2]

3. 

   3

   Do NOT simplify. A percent is a number out of 100.[3] To convert the fraction back to a percent, simply take the numerator and label it as a percent.

Advertisement

1. 

   1

   Convert the percentages to decimals. To convert a percentage to a decimal, think of the percent as a whole number, then move the decimal point two places to the left.[4] Remember that, even though a whole number does not show a decimal point, one is understood to the right of the number in the ones place (for example 66 = 66.00).

2. 

   2

   Subtract the decimals. You can use a calculator to do this quickly. You can also do it by hand. Set up the problem vertically. Align the decimal points in each number, then subtract as usual. Drop the decimal point down into your answer.

   • For example:
     

3. 

   3

   Convert back into a percentage. To do this, move the decimal place back two places to the right. Take this answer and label it as a percent.

4. 

   4

   Alternatively, subtract them directly. For example:

Advertisement

1. 

   1

   Anticipate a negative difference. Any time you subtract a larger percentage from a smaller percentage, the difference will be negative. These situations require additional steps when subtracting.

   • For example, you might need to subtract 123.688% from 50%. Since 123.688 is larger than 50, your answer will be negative.

2. 

   2

   Reverse the order of the minuend and subtrahend. The minuend is the number you are subtracting from, and the subtrahend is the number you are subtracting.[5] If you are working with decimals, align the decimal points and use zeros to extend place values as needed.[6]

3. 

   3

   Subtract as you normally would. Borrow from larger place values when necessary. You should end up with a positive number.

   • For example:
     

4. 

   4

   Add a negative sign to the difference. If you visualize a number line, you should see that the difference is the absolute distance between the two numbers. However, since in the original problem you begin with a smaller number and subtract a larger number, you would move left on the number line, past zero, and thus end up with a negative number.

   • Thus, .

5. 

   5

   Alternatively, subtract them directly. For example:

Advertisement

1. 

   1

   Assess what the problem is. You are likely being asked to take a percentage discount off of a price or value. For example, you might be asked what 30% off 120 dollars is.[7]

2. 

   2

   Convert the percentage to a decimal. To do this, remove the percentage sign and think of the percent as a whole number. Then, move the decimal point two places to the left.[8] Sometimes the percent will have a decimal already (such as in 7.5%). If there is no decimal, remember that a whole number always has an understood decimal to the right of the ones place (such as 75 = 75.00).

3. 

   3

   Multiply the decimal by the whole value. You can multiply be a calculator, or by hand. If multiplying by hand, set up the problem like a regular multiplication problem. Multiply the numbers as usual. Your final answer should have two places to the right of its decimal point. For more information on how to multiply decimals, read Multiply Decimals.[9]

   • For example,

4. 

   4

   Subtract the product from the whole value. The difference is the result of subtracting the percent of a value from the whole value.[10]

5. 

   5

   Alternatively, realize that a 30% discount means the price or value will represent the difference:[11]

Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  100 - 10% = 90, but 90 + 10% = 99. How is this possible?

  

  If you take 90 and divide by 10, you get 9. Therefore, ten percent of 90 plus 90 is equal to 90 + 9, which equals 99.

• Question

  A company manufactured 6,435 bars of soap. If it sold 20% of its bars of soap, how many bars of soap did it sell?

  

  Multiply the total number of bars by 0.2, or you could divide the total bars by 5.

• Question

  How do I calculate 20% of $79?

  

  Multiply $79 by 0.20.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 78,107 times.

Did this article help you?

How do you deduct 10 percent from an amount?

How do you subtract a percentage from a number?

What is 10% out of a 100?