In calculations involving percentages, what is often the first step?

In calculations involving percentages, the first step is often to convert the percentage to a decimal. This is because mathematical operations with decimals are generally more straightforward and easier to perform than with percentages. To convert a percentage to a decimal, you divide the percentage by 100. For instance, 25% becomes 0.25 when converted to a decimal.

Once the percentage is in decimal form, you can more easily multiply it by a total amount to find the actual value that it represents. This method streamlines calculations, especially in contexts involving financial figures or statistics, where precise results are crucial.

While estimating the total or converting to fractions may be useful in specific situations, those steps are not typically the foundational first step in percentage calculations. Skipping conversions is rarely advisable as it can lead to confusion and inaccuracies in the final answer.