Value of 72.5% in decimal fraction is?

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The term 'percent' (%) means 'out of 100'.
To convert any percentage to a decimal, you divide the percentage value by 100.
The calculation for this question is: 72.5 ÷ 100 = 0.725.
A shortcut for this conversion is to move the decimal point two places to the left (72.5 becomes 0.725).

Option A: This value represents 75.0%, not 72.5%. It is a common error to misread the number.
Option B: This value corresponds to 75.2%. The digits do not match the percentage given in the question.
Option D: This value corresponds to 72.1%. This is close but incorrect; the last digit should be 5, not 1.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Conversion of a percentage to a decimal fraction as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general math question, numeracy is a fundamental skill in nursing for ensuring patient safety.
Accurate calculations are critical for medication dosages, IV drip rate settings, and interpreting lab results that are expressed as percentages.
For example, calculating the amount of drug in a solution (e.g., a 2% lidocaine solution contains 2g per 100mL) requires converting the percentage to a decimal or fraction.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task: The question requires converting a percentage value (72.5%) into its decimal equivalent.
Recall the definition of 'percent': It means 'per hundred' or 'out of 100'.
Apply the primary conversion rule: Divide the number by 100. So, you need to calculate 72.5 / 100.
Alternatively, use the mental shortcut: Move the decimal point two places to the left. For 72.5, moving the point once gives 7.25, and moving it a second time gives 0.725.
Finally, compare your calculated result (0.725) with the given options and select the one that matches exactly.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.