Calculating a percentage of a given number is a fundamental mathematical operation with wide-ranging applications. In the specific instance of determining twenty percent of eight hundred thousand, the calculation involves multiplying the number by the decimal equivalent of the percentage. This equates to multiplying 800,000 by 0.20, resulting in 160,000. This result represents the portion of the total value that corresponds to the specified percentage.
The ability to calculate percentages is crucial in numerous fields, including finance, statistics, and everyday life. Understanding percentages allows for informed decision-making in areas such as budgeting, investment analysis, and understanding discounts or price changes. Historically, the concept of percentages has been used for centuries in trade and commerce to express proportions and ratios, facilitating comparisons and standardizations.
