Calculating a percentage of a given number involves determining a specific proportion of that number. In this instance, the objective is to find five percent of three hundred fifty thousand. This is achieved by converting the percentage into a decimal (0.05) and multiplying it by the original number (350,000). The result represents the portion of the whole that corresponds to the specified percentage.
Understanding percentage calculations is crucial in various contexts, including finance, statistics, and everyday life. It allows for the quantification of changes, comparisons, and distributions. In a financial setting, this calculation could represent a return on investment, a discount, or a sales commission. Historically, percentage calculations have been used to assess taxes, trade, and various other economic activities.