Percentages at age 10

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Is it normal for a 10 year old to be able easily work out percentages in their head? For example 80% of 40 or 35% of 220.

For round numbers like those probably yes. My Yr4 can do it

Yes. Its part of the national curriculum. Most children should easily be able to work out 10% mentally then use that to find 5%, 20% etc.

Yes. Dividing by 10 gives 10 percent and they can work out precise percentages from there by adding multiples of 10%, 5 % and 1%.

That's really quite brilliant. Thanks everyone.

We teach Year 4 the 'Building Blocks' method.

If you can find 10% (divide by 10) you can find any multiple of 10%

If you can find 50% (divide by 2) you can find 25% and 75%

If you can find 1% (divide by 100) you can find 2, 3, 4%

Then build your building blocks! 37% is made up of 3 10%s, a 5% and 2 1%s.

If they are asked for a percentage larger than 75%, it's probably easier to find the number bond to 100 and take it away. So if they need to find 88%, find 12% and take it away from the total.

Yes. Find 10% and multiply, so long as they know their timetables.