Percentages are everywhere — discounts, grades, statistics, probabilities, and everyday comparisons. One of the most common percentages you’ll encounter is 50%, which represents half of something.
But how do you write 50% as a fraction, and what is its simplest form?
Let’s break it down step by step, simplify it correctly, verify the result, and look at practical examples where this conversion is useful.
Why Convert Percentages to Fractions?
Converting percentages into fractions helps when:
- Solving math problems that use fractions
- Comparing ratios and proportions
- Understanding probabilities and statistics
- Working with measurements and everyday quantities
- Teaching or learning foundational math concepts
Fractions often make relationships clearer and more intuitive than percentages.
Step 1: Convert 50% Into a Fraction
The word percent means “out of 100.”
So we write:
50% = 50 / 100
This fraction correctly represents the percentage, but it is not yet simplified.
Step 2: Simplify the Fraction
To simplify 50 / 100, find the greatest common divisor (GCD).
Factors of 50:
1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50
Factors of 100:
1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100
The greatest common factor is 50.
Now divide both numbers by 50:
- 50 ÷ 50 = 1
- 100 ÷ 50 = 2
This gives:
1 / 2
✅ Final Simplified Fraction
50% as a fraction = 1 / 2
Step 3: Verify the Answer
Decimal Check
Divide the numerator by the denominator:
1 ÷ 2 = 0.5
And since 0.5 = 50%, the conversion is correct.
Cross-Multiplication Check
- 50 × 2 = 100
- 1 × 100 = 100
✔ Both sides match, confirming accuracy.
Is 1/2 the Simplest Form?
Yes.
The fraction 1 / 2 cannot be reduced further because 1 and 2 share no common factors other than 1.
Real-Life Examples of 50% as a Fraction
🛒 Shopping & Discounts
- 50% off means you pay half the price
- Example:
- Original price: $100
- After 50% discount: $50
📊 Grades & Scores
- Scoring 50% means 1 out of 2 questions correct
- Often used as a passing or midpoint score
🧠 Probability
- A 50% chance equals a probability of 1/2
- Example: coin toss (heads or tails)
📏 Measurements & Everyday Use
- 50% full = half full
- ½ liter, ½ cup, ½ hour
- Half a pizza, half a day, half a tank of fuel
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Leaving the fraction as 50 / 100
- ❌ Writing 50% = 2 / 4 (correct but not simplified)
- ❌ Confusing 50% with 0.05 (that’s 5%)
Always simplify fractions unless told otherwise.
FAQs: 50% as a Fraction
What is 50% as a fraction in simplest form?
50% = 1 / 2
Is 50% equal to one-half?
Yes. Both represent the same value.
Can 50% be written as a decimal?
Yes. 50% = 0.5
Is 50% a rational number?
Yes. It can be written as a ratio of two integers.
Is 50% always equal to 1/2?
Yes, in all mathematical contexts.
✅ Final Answer
What is 50% as a fraction?
50% = 1 / 2
Key Takeaway
To convert 50% into a fraction:
- Write it as 50 / 100
- Simplify by dividing both numbers by 50
- Get 1 / 2
This same method works for any percentage, making percentage-to-fraction conversion a core math skill worth mastering.
