Calculating Tips
- The ability to calculate tips is a practical application of percentages, an important concept in number mathematics.
- Remember that "percentage" literally means "per 100", so 15% is the same as 15 out of 100, or 0.15 in decimal form.
- To find the amount of a tip, multiply the total bill by the tip rate. If a bill is £25 and you wish to leave a 20% tip, calculate 25 * 0.20 = £5.
- Many people find it helpful to work out a 10% tip first and then adjust appropriately. To get 10%, simply move the decimal point one place to the left.
- If you want to leave a 15% tip, figure out 10%, then halve that number to find 5%, and add the two amounts together.
- The tip is usually given in addition to the total bill, so add the tip amount to the cost of the total bill to give the total amount to pay.
- Always check your calculation. If the percentage tip seems too high or low for the total cost, you may have made a mistake in your calculation.
- Practice makes perfect. Try to calculate the tip quickly and accurately without using a calculator. This skill not only comes in handy in everyday life, but also helps you to understand and apply percentage calculations more effectively.