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Kieran Ball

This is a complete set of lessons made for students of any level and any age to learn all about percentages.

I start by looking at how to find 10% of a number, and then lead onto finding 20%, 5%, 1%, 2%, 50% and 25%. Then, using all we've learnt, I show you how to find any percentage, even those containing decimals.

You'll also learn how to carry out percentage increases, percentage decreases and how to work out reverse percentages, all in your head or on a calculator.

Read more

This is a complete set of lessons made for students of any level and any age to learn all about percentages.

I start by looking at how to find 10% of a number, and then lead onto finding 20%, 5%, 1%, 2%, 50% and 25%. Then, using all we've learnt, I show you how to find any percentage, even those containing decimals.

You'll also learn how to carry out percentage increases, percentage decreases and how to work out reverse percentages, all in your head or on a calculator.

Each lesson is kept short and simple, so that even the busiest student can learn. All you have to do is watch one three-minute lesson a day, and you'll be amazed at how much you pick up and remember.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn all about percentages and how to use and manipulate them
  • You will learn, in basic steps, how to find percentages of any number
  • You will learn how to find 10%, 20%, 5%, 1%, 2%, 50% and 25%
  • You will then use that information to find any percentage, even those containing decimals
  • You will learn how to carry out percentage increases and percentage decreases
  • You will learn how to work out reverse percentages
  • You will learn how to work out and manipulate percentages in your head and on a calculator

Syllabus

Introduction
Percentages
Lesson 1 - Finding 10% by dividing by 10
Lesson 2 - Dividing by 10 with numbers that don't end in a zero
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Breaks down percentage calculations into manageable steps, starting with finding 10% and progressing to more complex calculations, which is helpful for building confidence
Covers a wide range of percentage-related topics, including percentage increases, decreases, and reverse percentages, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject
Includes practice exercises throughout the course, allowing learners to reinforce their understanding and develop proficiency in calculating percentages
Teaches how to calculate percentages both mentally and with a calculator, equipping learners with versatile skills applicable in various situations
Includes lessons on simple and compound interest, which are important concepts for understanding personal finance and investments
Lessons are designed to be short and simple, which may not be suitable for learners who prefer in-depth explanations and detailed examples

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Reviews summary

Accessible foundation in percentages

According to students, this course provides a highly accessible and clear introduction to percentages. Many appreciate the unique 3-minute lesson format, finding it ideal for fitting learning into busy schedules or for those who prefer information in bite-sized chunks. Reviewers frequently mention the course is easy to follow, making it excellent for beginners, those needing a quick refresher, or anyone who finds maths intimidating. While widely praised for its simplicity and effectiveness in building core skills, a few notes suggest that if you already have a strong grasp of fundamentals, the initial pace might feel slow, and some found the coverage of specific topics, like reverse percentages, could benefit from slightly more depth or practice.
Ideal for newcomers or those needing a refresh.
"Perfect for refreshing my skills and remembering percentage calculations I'd forgotten."
"Highly recommend for absolute beginners. It starts simple and builds up your confidence."
"Exactly what I needed to brush up on percentages for my studies. It covered all the basics I was shaky on."
"This course is a great starting point if you have zero prior knowledge or struggled in the past."
Explanations are easy to follow, great for beginners.
"This course made percentages so easy to understand! The explanations are crystal clear."
"I finally feel confident with percentages after taking this course. The simple steps are fantastic."
"Excellent course for anyone who finds math intimidating. The instructor explains everything clearly and patiently."
"The breakdown from finding 10% onwards is brilliant and makes it very easy to build understanding."
Short lessons are easy to consume and fit any schedule.
"The 3-minute lessons are brilliant for breaking down potentially complex topics into manageable chunks."
"The short videos make it very easy to fit into a busy schedule and focus on one concept at a time."
"Love the format! 3 minutes is perfect for my short attention span, making percentages less intimidating."
"The '3 minute' approach really works for busy people who need a quick refresher without a huge time commitment."
May be slow for some, some topics could use more depth.
"It's okay. Good starting point but might need more practice outside, especially on reverse percentages."
"If you already have a decent grasp of percentages, the first few lessons might feel a bit slow."
"The section on reverse percentages felt a little rushed compared to the basics."
"While comprehensive for fundamentals, some might want more complex examples or a faster pace later on."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 3 Minute Maths - Percentages with these activities:
Review Basic Arithmetic
Strengthen foundational arithmetic skills to improve understanding of percentage calculations.
Browse courses on Fractions
Show steps
  • Practice fraction and decimal operations.
  • Review multiplication and division facts.
Percentages and Ratios
Expand knowledge of percentages and ratios with a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on percentage applications.
  • Work through the example problems.
  • Try the practice exercises.
Percentage Calculation Drills
Reinforce percentage calculation skills through repetitive exercises.
Show steps
  • Solve percentage problems using mental math.
  • Use a calculator to verify answers.
  • Focus on speed and accuracy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Percentage Cheat Sheet
Summarize key percentage concepts and formulas to aid in retention and quick reference.
Show steps
  • List common percentage equivalents (e.g., 1/4 = 25%).
  • Include formulas for percentage increase and decrease.
  • Organize the sheet for easy readability.
Calculate Discounts and Sales Tax
Apply percentage skills to real-world scenarios involving discounts and sales tax.
Show steps
  • Find online deals and calculate the final price after discount.
  • Research sales tax rates in different locations.
  • Calculate the total cost including sales tax.
Build a Percentage Calculator
Develop a tool to automate percentage calculations, reinforcing understanding of the underlying formulas.
Show steps
  • Choose a programming language or spreadsheet software.
  • Implement functions for finding percentages, increases, and decreases.
  • Test the calculator with various inputs.
Tutor a Peer in Percentages
Solidify your understanding of percentages by explaining the concepts to someone else.
Show steps
  • Identify a peer who needs help with percentages.
  • Prepare a lesson plan covering key concepts.
  • Explain the concepts clearly and answer questions.

Career center

Learners who complete 3 Minute Maths - Percentages will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Accountant
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensuring accuracy and compliance. This role requires a strong understanding of percentages, as used frequently in calculating taxes, interest, and financial statements. This course provides a thorough overview of percentages and how to manipulate them, from simple percentage calculations to more complex concepts like reverse percentages. The course's instruction on calculator usage is particularly beneficial for accountants, who regularly use calculators in their work. A potential accountant should take this course.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts help organizations manage their finances by creating budgets, tracking expenses, and analyzing financial data. This job requires proficiency in working with percentages to prepare financial forecasts. This course provides a solid foundation in understanding percentages, including percentage increases and decreases. The lessons on simple and compound interest are directly applicable to budgeting and financial planning. This course will be beneficial to anyone interested in becoming a budget analyst.
Pricing Analyst
Pricing analysts are responsible for determining optimal pricing strategies for products or services. They use percentages to calculate profit margins, discount rates, and price changes. This course provides a solid foundation in percentage calculations, which are used daily. The course's lessons that cover percentage increases, decreases, and reverse percentages are particularly relevant to this role. Someone pursuing a career as a pricing analyst may find this course helpful.
Personal Finance Advisor
Personal finance advisors help individuals manage their money by creating budgets, setting financial goals, and making recommendations on investments. This role requires a strong understanding of percentages to calculate returns, interest, and growth. This course will help an advisor because it offers instruction in the core concepts of percentage calculations, from basic to complex. The lessons on simple and compound interest may be particularly relevant for personal finance advice. This course is particularly suitable for those interested in becoming a personal finance advisor.
Financial Analyst
A financial analyst is responsible for examining financial data, creating reports, and making recommendations to guide investment decisions. This role relies on strong mathematical skills, particularly the ability to work with percentages, a core focus of this course. The course will help solidify your understanding of percentage increases and decreases, as well as reverse percentages, all of which are crucial to accurate financial analysis. The course's emphasis on mental calculation also builds speed, an essential skill in financial analysis. A potential financial analyst would benefit from this course.
Retail Buyer
Retail buyers are responsible for selecting and purchasing merchandise for retail stores. They frequently work with percentages to negotiate discounts, calculate markups, and analyze sales data. This course's training in finding any percentage, even with decimals, as well as how to perform percentage increases and decreases will help a future buyer. The course will provide the skills needed to make informed purchasing decisions that maximize profitability. Someone who wants to be a retail buyer should take this course.
Investment Banking Associate
Investment Banking Associates work on complex financial transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. This role requires strong quantitative skills, and they use percentages daily. A course such as this, which provides a comprehensive review of percentage calculations, would be useful for an investment banking associate. The course's instruction on mental calculation will assist in performing quick calculations. While this role typically requires an advanced degree, this course would be beneficial to anyone interested in this field.
Business Owner
Business owners, regardless of the industry, handle various financial tasks including setting prices, calculating profits, and managing inventory. An understanding of percentages is valuable to perform these tasks. This course is designed to build a strong foundation in calculating percentages, including increases, decreases, and reverse percentages. The course's focus on mental calculations and calculator use provides practical skills for any business owner. This course will certainly help a future business owner.
Data Analyst
Data analysts collect, process, and interpret large datasets to identify trends and insights. They often work with percentages to analyze data and create visualizations. This course will be useful for quickly calculating and understanding various percentages, a key task for data analysis. The course's lessons on using a calculator are also directly relevant to data analysis. This course may help those wanting to improve their data analysis skills.
Economist
Economists study various economic issues, including markets, prices, and trends, often using statistical analysis. They frequently use percentages to analyze economic data and model scenarios. This course will help economists improve their capability with percentages. The course's lessons on percentage increases and decreases, as well as interest calculations, will be useful for this role. It is common to have an advanced degree in economics, but this course will be useful for those interested in the field.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts study consumer behavior and market trends to provide insights for businesses to make informed decisions. They use percentages to analyze survey data, calculate market share, and identify key trends. This course will help a market research analyst perform a wide variety of percentage-based calculations quickly and accurately. The course's instruction on calculating percentage increases, decreases, and reverse percentages will be directly applicable for anyone looking to enter this role. This course will be useful.
Tax Preparer
Tax preparers assist individuals and businesses in preparing and filing tax returns. This role involves frequent use of percentages to calculate tax liabilities, deductions, and credits. This course may be useful for a tax preparer, as it covers key concepts such as percentage increases, decreases, and reverse percentages. The course's lessons on mental calculations will assist in performing quick calculations. Future tax preparers may benefit from taking this course.
Sales Representative
Sales representatives sell products or services to customers, and often calculate commissions, discounts, and sales tax using percentages. This course will assist a sales representative by providing the necessary skills to calculate percentages quickly and accurately, whether mentally or with a calculator. The course's lessons on increases, decreases, and simple interest are directly applicable to sales calculations. This course may be useful to a sales professional.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, and renting properties. The ability to calculate percentages is necessary to determine commission, calculate price increases, and understand mortgage interest rates. This course that focuses on percentage calculations, including increases, decreases, and interest rates would benefit anyone interested in this field. The course's instruction in using mental math and calculators will assist in daily tasks. Real estate agents may find this course helpful.
Project Manager
Project managers oversee projects from start to finish, managing budgets, schedules, and resources. This role often requires working with percentages to track project progress, calculate resource allocation, and analyze financial performance. This course will be useful to a project manager because it will help build foundational knowledge regarding percentage calculations. The course's instruction in calculating percentage increases, decreases, and reverse percentages will be beneficial in the daily tasks of a project manager. This course might be helpful.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 3 Minute Maths - Percentages.
Provides a comprehensive overview of percentages and ratios, including practical applications and problem-solving strategies. It is particularly useful for students who need a more in-depth understanding of the underlying concepts. This book valuable resource for reinforcing the concepts taught in the course and for tackling more complex percentage-related problems. It is suitable for both beginners and those looking to enhance their skills.

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