Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 6
Use knowledge of calculating common percentages of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts
I can use common percentages of a number to solve problems.
- Year 6
Use knowledge of calculating common percentages of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts
I can use common percentages of a number to solve problems.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can be used to calculate a new percentage from known percentages.
- For example, if I know 10% of a number, I can halve it to find 5%
- If I know 10% and 5% of a number, I can add them to find 15%
Keywords
Efficient - Efficient means working in an organised way without wasting time or effort.
Percentage - A percentage is a proportion of a whole.
Common misconception
Pupils may find calculating 75% of a number difficult.
First focus on teaching one strategy for finding 75% of a number. Pupils may find it easiest to add 50% and 25% together. Show representations of this (e.g. bar models showing the proportion of the whole) alongside calculations.
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Use knowledge of calculating common percentages of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Use knowledge of calculating common percentages of a number to solve problems in a range of contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Understanding percentages unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the percentages and fractions that are equivalent.
50% -
$$ {1} \over {2} $$
10% -
$$ {1} \over {10} $$
1% -
$$ {1} \over {100} $$
Q2.100% of a number is 240 Use this to match the percentages to the value.
1% of 240 -
2.4
50% of 240 -
120
10% of 240 -
24
Q3.One of the stages of the Tour de France race is 205 km long. Match the percentage of the race to the number of km.
100% of 205 km -
205 km
50% of 205 km -
102.5 km
10% of 205 km -
20.5 km
1% of 205 km -
2.05 km
Q4.A rider has completed 50% of a different stage of the race. If they have ridden 88 km, what is the length of the whole race? km
Q5.If 100% of a number is 110, what is 1% of the number?
Q6.If 10% of a number is 46.5, what is 100% of the number?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the fractions and the percentages.
one-half -
50%
one-quarter -
25%
one whole -
100%
three-quarters -
75%
Q2.What is one half of 50%? %
Q3.Find 25% of these numbers.
25% of 100 -
25
25% of 88 -
22
25% of 200 -
50
25% of 160 -
40
25% of 140 -
35
Q4.75% is three one-quarters or $$ {3} \over {4} $$ so what is 75% of 240 km? km

Q5.Use this fact to calculate other percentages. 100% is 120 km
50 % of 120 km -
60 km
10% of 120 km -
12 km
70% of 120 km -
84 km
20% of 120 km -
24 km
5% of 120 km -
6 km