Finding Percentages of Quantities for 11+ Maths: A Parent's Guide
19 October 2026
Understanding percentages
Percentages show a part out of 100. In 11+ Maths, children are often asked to find a percentage of a quantity, such as money or objects. This skill is key for many word problems.
How to find a percentage of a quantity
To find a percentage of an amount, change the percentage to a fraction or decimal. For example, to find 20% of £50, multiply £50 by 0.2 (or by 20/100). The answer is £10.
Building up from 10%
Many percentages can be worked out by first finding 10%. For example, 10% of 80 is 8. To find 30%, multiply 8 by 3. For 5%, halve the 10% amount. This approach keeps calculations simple.
Reverse percentage questions
Sometimes, the percentage is unknown. For example: "n% of 60 is 15. What is n?" Divide 15 by 60 to get 0.25, then multiply by 100. So, n = 25%.
Key insight: Practise with real-life examples
Use everyday situations, like shopping discounts or sharing sweets, to help your child see how percentages work in context. This builds confidence and makes the maths feel useful.
