How much percent is 1.23 trillion?

Answer 1

Hi folks,

This question cannot be answered as stated.

A "percent" is a way of comparing two quantities using our standard (base 10) system of numbering.

For example, if you bought ten apples at the store, and 2 of them were rotten, you could represent this as 2 out of 10 being rotten, or 2/10, or 20%.

It is important to realize that as long as you are using our regular base 10 numbers, to CALCULATE a percent, you divide the smaller number by the larger, and the answer will be expressed as a percent. (This is true for all practical, everyday uses.)

For example, the question you asked might be expanded this way: China loaned the US 2 trillion dollars. The US still owes China 1.23 trillion. What percent of its original debt does the US still owe China?

The original debt = 2 trillion.

Amount still owed = 1.23 trillion.

To find the percent of the original that is still owed, calculate as above:

smaller/larger = 1.23 trillion/2 trillion = 0.615 = 61.5%