Percent sign facts for kids
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Percent sign
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The percent sign (%) is a special symbol. We use it to show a percentage. A percentage is a way to talk about a part of something, like a fraction, but always out of 100. For example, if you get 90% on a test, it means you got 90 out of every 100 points.
There are other symbols like the percent sign. The permille sign (‰) means "per thousand." The permyriad sign (‱) means "per ten thousand." These are used for very small parts of a whole.
Contents
How to Use the Percent Sign
Spacing Rules
When you write a number with a percent sign, there are different rules for spacing.
In English, most style guides say to write the percent sign right after the number, with no space. For example, you would write "50%".
However, some international rules, like those from the International System of Units, suggest putting a small space between the number and the percent sign. This is like how you put a space between a number and its unit of measurement, such as "50 kg".
Spacing in Different Languages
Different languages have their own rules for how to space the percent sign:
- In French and German, you should use a space before the percent sign.
- In Italian and Hebrew, there is usually no space.
- In Turkish, the percent sign comes before the number, like "%50".
- In Arabic, the percent sign is on the left of the number because Arabic is written from right to left.
Using Percent in Sentences
Sometimes, it's better to write out the word "percent" instead of using the symbol. This is often true in regular sentences, especially in newspapers.
For example, instead of writing "Sales increased by 24%," it's often suggested to write "Sales increased by 24 percent." The percent sign is usually best for tables or places where space is limited.
