Every percentage question in the Grade 8–9 syllabus — finding a percentage, increase and decrease, one number as a percentage of another, percentage change, VAT, profit and loss, and reverse percentages — each worked in full, with a worksheet.
A percentage is a fraction out of 100. Getting comfortable with percentages unlocks the whole financial-maths section: profit and loss, discounts, VAT and interest. This guide covers every percentage question type in the syllabus.
1Type 1: Finding a percentage of an amount
Change the percentage to a decimal (or fraction) and multiply.
- 115% = 15⁄100 = 0,15.'Per cent' means 'out of 100'.
- 20,15 × 80 = 12.'Of' means multiply.
- 3Answer: R12.
2Type 2: Percentage increase
- 1Method A — find the increase: 30% of 2000 = 600, then add: 2000 + 600 = 2600.The increase is added to the original.
- 2Method B — multiply by 1,30 directly: 2000 × 1,30 = 2600.100% + 30% = 130% = 1,30.
- 3Answer: R2600.
3Type 3: Percentage decrease (discount)
- 1Discount: 20% of 250 = R50, then subtract: 250 − 50 = R200.A discount reduces the price.
- 2Shortcut: pay 80% → 0,80 × 250 = R200.After a 20% discount you pay 100% − 20% = 80%.
4Type 4: One number as a percentage of another
Write the part over the whole, then multiply by 100.
- 1Write the fraction: 18⁄24.Part over whole.
- 2Multiply by 100: 18⁄24 × 100 = 75.Convert the fraction to a percentage.
- 3Answer: 75%.
5Type 5: Percentage change (profit or loss %)
Percentage change = changeoriginal × 100. For profit and loss, the 'original' is the cost price.
- 1Profit = 100 − 80 = R20.Selling price minus cost price.
- 2Percentage = 20⁄80 × 100 = 25%.Change over the ORIGINAL (cost) price.
- 3Answer: 25% profit.
6Type 6: VAT (Value-Added Tax, 15% in SA)
- 1VAT = 15% of 600 = R90.VAT is added on top of the price.
- 2Total = 600 + 90 = R690, or 600 × 1,15 directly.
7Type 7: Reverse percentage (find the original)
When a price already includes an increase, divide (don't subtract) to get back to the original.
- 1R690 represents 115% of the original.The original (100%) plus 15% VAT.
- 2Original = 690 ÷ 1,15 = R600.Divide by 1,15, don't subtract 15% — that would be wrong.
Learn the ×1,15 / ÷1,15 shortcuts. Multiplying by 1 + rate does an increase in one step; dividing by it reverses one. This saves time and avoids errors under exam pressure.
Adding then removing the same percentage doesn't cancel. R100 marked up 10% (R110) then discounted 10% gives R99, not R100 — the 10% is taken of different amounts each time.
Percentages run through Grade 8–12 financial maths and all of Maths Literacy, so these seven types are worth mastering completely. Try the worksheet.
Practice exercises
Work each one out, then click to reveal the answer.
- 1Find 25% of R320 (percentage of)
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0,25 × 320 = R80 - 2Find 12% of 150 (percentage of)
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0,12 × 150 = 18 - 3Increase R2000 by 30% (increase)
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2000 × 1,30 = R2600 - 4Increase R450 by 8% (increase)
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450 × 1,08 = R486 - 5Decrease R250 by 20% (decrease)
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250 × 0,80 = R200 - 6A R900 item at 15% off (discount)
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900 × 0,85 = R765 - 7What percentage is 18 out of 24? (as a %)
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18⁄24 × 100 = 75% - 8What percentage is 30 out of 40? (as a %)
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30⁄40 × 100 = 75% - 9Bought for R80, sold for R100. Profit %? (profit)
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20⁄80 × 100 = 25% - 10Bought for R200, sold for R150. Loss %? (loss)
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50⁄200 × 100 = 25% loss - 11Add 15% VAT to R240 (VAT)
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240 × 1,15 = R276 - 12A price is R575 including 15% VAT. Price before VAT? (reverse)
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575 ÷ 1,15 = R500
Quick Quiz
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