- Convert the mixed number \(9 \frac{7}{8}\) to a decimal by adding 9 and \(\frac{7}{8} = 0.875\), resulting in \(9.875\).
- Convert the percentage \(9.875\%\) to a decimal by dividing by 100.
- The final result is \(\boxed{0.09875}\).
Explanation
- Converting the Mixed Number to Decimal Form
To express the percentage \(9 \frac{7}{8} \%\) as a decimal, we first need to convert the mixed number \(9 \frac{7}{8}\) into a decimal representation. A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction. Here, we have \(9 + \frac{7}{8}\). Since \(\frac{7}{8}\) is equal to \(0.875\), the mixed number can be written as \(9 + 0.875 = 9.875\). Therefore, \(9 \frac{7}{8} \%\) is equivalent to \(9.875 \%\).
- Converting the Percentage to a Decimal
By definition, a percentage represents a part of 100. To convert a value from a percentage to a decimal, we divide the value by \(100\). Thus, we take \(9.875\) and divide it by \(100\):
\[\frac{9.875}{100} = 0.09875\]
This calculation shifts the decimal point two places to the left, resulting in the final decimal value.
Examples
Converting percentages to decimals is a fundamental skill used in everyday life, especially in finance. For instance, if you are looking at a savings account with an interest rate of \(9.875\%\), you need to convert this to a decimal to calculate the actual interest earned on your balance. By converting \(9.875\%\) to \(0.09875\), you can easily multiply this by your principal amount to determine your earnings over a year. Similar applications are found in tax calculations, discounts during sales, and statistical analysis.