From trying to understand the discounts while shopping to making sense of interest rates and loans, we need to calculate percentages almost every day in our lives. And if you are a student, you must know how to calculate percentage of marks to assess your performance in exams. 

In this article, we will break down what a percentage is, explain how to calculate percentage of marks, and give you easy examples to make the concept clear. 

Let’s learn everything about calculating percentages. 

What is the percentage? 

The percentage is a proportion or fraction expressed with a hundred as the denominator. In other words, it is a part of the whole, which is a hundred. 

Percentage has a wide variety of applications in day-to-day life. It is used in budgeting and money management to calculate discounts while shopping, to determine the amount of nutrients required for a balanced diet, and for many other purposes. 

The formula to calculate the percentage is- (fraction/ whole) X 100. In simple words, to calculate the percentage, divide the fraction by the whole and then multiply the result by 100. 

For instance, to calculate 25% of 200, use the aforementioned formula- (Fraction/whole) X 100

Step 1- 25/200 X 100

Step 2- 0.25 X200

Result- 50

Although calculating percentages is easy, it can be confusing. If you are trying to calculate the percentage of marks, follow the stepwise procedure to calculate the percentage. 

How to calculate percentage of marks? 

Now, coming to calculating the percentage of marks, here is the formula- 

(Marks scored/ Maximum marks) X 100

Here, the marks scored are the marks you obtained in your exam. Maximum marks, as the name says, refer to the maximum numbers you can score. 

For instance, if you scored 300 marks out of 500, here is how you can calculate your percentage of marks- 

Step 1: Find out the marks you scored. In this example, it is 300. 

Step 2: Find out the total marks you can score. In this example, it is 500.

Step 3: Use the formula- (Marks scored/ Maximum marks) X 100. Divide the marks scored by maximum marks. Here, it would be 300/500 = 0.6.

Step 4: Now, multiply the result by 100. 0.6 X 100= 60. 

So, the percentage you scored is 60%. 

How to calculate percentage of marks of 6 subjects?

You can calculate the percentage of marks of 6 subjects with the same formula. Here is the step-by-step procedure to do so-

Step 1: Start by calculating the total marks you scored in the exam. Add the marks obtained in all six subjects. 

Step 2: Add the maximum marks you can score in all six subjects. 

Step 3: Now, you have marks scored and maximum marks. Use the formula for calculating percentage. 

(Marks scored/ Maximum marks) X 100

You will get the percentage of marks for 6 subjects. Similarly, you can calculate the percentage of marks for any number of subjects. 

Let us take one more example- 

How to calculate percentage of marks of 5 subjects? 

Follow these steps to calculate the percentage of marks for 5 subjects- 

Step 1: Take the total of marks obtained in all five subjects. 

Step 2: Add the maximum marks you can score in all five subjects. 

Step 3: Now, you have marks scored and maximum marks. Use the formula for calculating percentage. 

(Marks scored/ Maximum marks) X 100

You will get the percentage of marks for 5 subjects. 

How to calculate percentage of marks of 7 subjects?

You need to follow the aforementioned steps to calculate the percentage of marks for 7 subjects. 

Step 1: Add the marks obtained in all seven subjects. 

Step 2: Add the maximum marks you can score in all seven subjects. 

Step 3: Use the formula for calculating the percentage.

(Marks scored/ Maximum marks) X 100

You will get the percentage of marks for 7 subjects. 

The bottom line 

Learn to calculate percentages with this simple formula. With regular practice, you will be able to easily calculate any discount, any academic assessment, or any financial matter.