What is the Difference Between Percent and Percentage?

The terms "percent" and "percentage" are often used to describe a specific portion or amount in relation to a whole. However, they have slightly different meanings and are used in different contexts:

• Percent: This term, derived from the Latin phrase "per cent," means "per hundred" and is typically associated with a specific number. It is often used to indicate a portion or amount as a fraction of 100, and it is often followed by a numeral. For example, "75 percent of boys failed to satisfy the attendance criterion" or "I am one hundred percent sure that this figure is wrong". Percent is also used in mathematical calculations and formulas.
• Percentage: This term is used to describe or indicate a portion or amount in relation to a whole. It is often used in front of the plural form of a noun or as a completely separate term without any numeral preceding it. For example, "A large percentage of the students do not speak English at home" or "Percentage of girls joining armed forces has increased considerably".

Key differences between percent and percentage include:

1. Percent is used with a numeral, while percentage is used without a numeral.
2. Percent indicates a specific portion or amount as a fraction of 100, while percentage describes a portion or amount in relation to a whole.
3. Percent is an adverb, while percentage is a noun.

In summary, to correctly use these terms, use "percent" with a number and "percentage" without a number.

Comparative Table: Percent vs Percentage

The terms "percent" and "percentage" are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Here is a table that highlights the differences between them:

In summary:

• A percent is a specific portion of a whole, expressed as a hundredth.
• A percentage is the result of dividing one number by another, multiplied by 100, and represents the ratio between the two numbers.

To calculate the percentage difference between two values, you can use the following formula: $$\text{Percentage Difference} = \frac{(\text{Current Value} - \text{Previous Value})}{\text{Previous Value}} \times 100$$. This calculation compares the difference between two values and represents it as a percentage.