Cent means one hundred. (As in century, meaning one hundred years.) Percent means per one hundred, or "for every one hundred" units. To compare the quantity (amount) of one thing with another, we make them share the same form.
So, in your example, we say, instead of having 28 rotten apples out of a box of 63 apples, let us suppose there is only 1 apple in the box; then how many rotten apples will we have? To find the answer, divide 28 by 63, and you get 0.4444 rotten apple (or, about one half apple). Then we ask, what if, instead, there are 100 apples in the box? So, we multiply that by 100, and we get 44.44 rotten apples. That is the answer.
To put the same question in a simpler way, we just ask: What is the percentage of 28 in 63. The answer: 44.44% (44.44 per 100).
The reason we do this kind of step is so it will be easier to compare different quantities. So, if you have other boxes of apples to compare, say 55 of 117, 11 of 37, or 132 of 220, you can find their common form by converting each of them into their percentages:
(55/117 x 100= 47%; 11/37 x 100= 29.7%; 132/220 x 100= 60%)
Now you can compare them and know:
60% > (meaning "more than") 47% > 44.44% > 29.7%.
Percentage is a very useful tool in everyday life. You must understand the reasoning, and not just the steps. It is a very simple concept. I hope I have not confused you further.
So, in your example, we say, instead of having 28 rotten apples out of a box of 63 apples, let us suppose there is only 1 apple in the box; then how many rotten apples will we have? To find the answer, divide 28 by 63, and you get 0.4444 rotten apple (or, about one half apple). Then we ask, what if, instead, there are 100 apples in the box? So, we multiply that by 100, and we get 44.44 rotten apples. That is the answer.
To put the same question in a simpler way, we just ask: What is the percentage of 28 in 63. The answer: 44.44% (44.44 per 100).
The reason we do this kind of step is so it will be easier to compare different quantities. So, if you have other boxes of apples to compare, say 55 of 117, 11 of 37, or 132 of 220, you can find their common form by converting each of them into their percentages:
(55/117 x 100= 47%; 11/37 x 100= 29.7%; 132/220 x 100= 60%)
Now you can compare them and know:
60% > (meaning "more than") 47% > 44.44% > 29.7%.
Percentage is a very useful tool in everyday life. You must understand the reasoning, and not just the steps. It is a very simple concept. I hope I have not confused you further.
