Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

How do you convert a decimal to a percentage?

1. Move the decimal to the right twice

2. Move the decimal to the left twice

3. Multiply by 100

4. Divide by 100

The correct answer is: Move the decimal to the left twice

To convert a decimal to a percentage, you need to move the decimal point two places to the right. This process is essential because a percentage represents a number out of 100, and moving the decimal to the right effectively multiplies the original decimal value by 100. For example, taking the decimal 0.75 and moving the decimal point two places to the right gives you 75, which represents 75%. Therefore, when converting decimals to percentages, moving to the right captures the essence of expressing the decimal in terms of 100 parts. While multiplying by 100 mathematically achieves the same result, the specific step of moving the decimal point directly symbolizes the transformation to a percentage in a clear and intuitive way.