---
title: "Fractions and percentages of amounts"
description: "Interpret fractions and percentages as operators — find a fraction or percentage of an amount by multiplying, understanding that 'of' means multiply (e.g., 3/4 of 200 = 3/4 × 200 = 150)"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-and-percentages-of-amounts-mt_J339bO7qLe
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-and-percentages-of-amounts-mt_J339bO7qLe.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Fractions and percentages of amounts

Interpret fractions and percentages as operators — find a fraction or percentage of an amount by multiplying, understanding that 'of' means multiply (e.g., 3/4 of 200 = 3/4 × 200 = 150)

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Fractions · Ages 11 to 12
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-and-percentages-of-amounts-mt_J339bO7qLe

## Ready when they can

- Calculate a fraction of a given amount by multiplying
- Calculate a percentage of a given amount by converting to a decimal and multiplying
- Use the operator interpretation to solve multi-step problems involving discounts, taxes, and portions

## Lesson: The word 'of' means multiply

In maths, the word 'of' is a hidden multiply sign. When you read '3/4 of 200', it means 3/4 × 200. Once you spot 'of' next to a fraction or a percentage, you know exactly what to do: multiply.

*(drawing: 3/4 means 3 shaded parts out of 4 equal parts. To use it as an operator, multiply by that fraction.)*

**Example.** Find 3/4 of 200. First divide by the bottom number: 200 ÷ 4 = 50. That is one part. Then multiply by the top number: 50 × 3 = 150. So 3/4 of 200 is 150.

Percentages work the same way. 'Percent' means 'out of 100', so change the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100, then multiply. For 20% of 50: 20 ÷ 100 = 0.20, and 0.20 × 50 = 10.

**Tip.** For a discount or tax problem, find the percentage of the amount first. That first answer is not the final answer - subtract it from (or add it to) the original amount to finish the job.

**Recap.** See 'of' with a fraction or percentage? Turn it into a multiply, find the piece, then finish the problem.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Percentages as Fractions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/percentages-as-fractions-mt_ALUrJpY0cZ)
- [Real-world fraction multiplication](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/real-world-fraction-multiplication-mt_lvaSGHwvQ5)

## Opens up

- [Dividing fractions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/dividing-fractions-mt_9Y96vxG_LH)