Difference Between Percentage and Percentile
The difference between percentage and percentile is that percentage expresses the given value in terms of 100, while percentile depicts a relative value in comparison with the other data. Let us learn more about the difference between percentage and percentile and learn how to find the percentage and percentile.
| 1. | What is the Difference Between Percentage and Percentile? |
| 2. | How to Calculate Percentage? |
| 3. | How to Calculate Percentile? |
| 4. | FAQs on Difference Between Percentage and Percentile |
What is the Difference Between Percentage and Percentile?
Percentage and percentile are two different concepts because percentage shows the individual score out of 100 while percentile shows a comparison. Percentage tells us the value in terms of 100, and percentile is a relative quantity that shows us a comparison of the given value with the rest of the data which is lesser than the given specific value. For example, if a student scores 15 marks out of 20 marks, then his percentage is expressed as 75%. On the other hand, if the student's percentile in an examination is given as 75, this means that he scored better than 75% of the people that had appeared for the examination.
The following table shows the difference between percentage and percentile.
| Percentage | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Percentage is a number or ratio expressed in terms of 100. | Percentile is a measure used in Statistics which indicates the relative value which helps in comparing the performance with others. |
| Example: 80 percent in a test shows that you got 8 out of 10 questions correct. | Example: 80th percentile shows that you performed better than 80% of the candidates. |
| Percentage does not help to compare the given value. | Percentile helps to compare the given value with the rest of the data. |
| Percentage can be expressed in decimals. | Percentiles cannot be expressed in decimals. |
| Percentage shows the rate. | Percentile shows the rank. |
| Percentage is based on individual performance. | Percentile is based on relative performance. |
How to Calculate Percentage?
In order to calculate the percentage of a given value, we divide the given value by the total value and multiply it by 100. Percentage is mostly used to find the value in terms of 100 because it is easier to understand the data in terms of 100.
The basic formula to find percentage is:
[(Given Value)/(Total value)] × 100
Example: If Sam scores 420 marks out of 600 marks, find the percentage of marks that Sam scored in the exams.
Solution: In order to find the percentage of marks that Sam scored in the exam, we will use the formula: [(Marks scored by Sam)/(Total marks)] × 100. We know that Marks scored by Sam = 420, Total marks = 600. So, after substituting the values in the formula, we get, [(Marks scored by Sam)/(Total marks)] × 100 = [(420)/(600)] × 100 = 70%. Therefore, Sam's percentage is 70%.
How to Calculate Percentile?
Percentile is a relative value that helps in comparing the given value with the rest. This is mostly used in competitive tests where each student performs in a different way and where one student can exactly know where he stands in comparison with the rest of the students. Percentiles are also used in companies to know the relative performance of employees and hence, reward the best employee.
The basic formula to find the percentile is: [(Number of values below 'x') ÷ (Total number of values)] × 100
Example: In a class of 50 students, Sam's rank is 9th. What is Sam's percentile in class?
Solution: In order to find Sam's percentile in class, we use the formula, [(Number of students who scored lesser marks than Sam) ÷ (Total number of students)] × 100. We know that Sam's rank is 4th in the class, so the number of students who scored less than Sam are 41 because there are 50 students in all. (50 - 9 = 41). So, after substituting the values in this formula we get, [(Number of students who scored lesser marks than Sam) ÷ (Total number of students)] × 100 = [(41)/(50)] × 100 = 82. Therefore, Sam's percentile is 82th.
Observe the figure given below to know the difference between Sam's percentage and Sam's percentile using the same examples given above.
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FAQs on Difference Between Percentage and Percentile
What is the Difference Between Percentage and Percentile?
The difference between percentage and percentile is that percentage represents the ratio expressed in terms of 100 and it tells an individual score. While percentile is relative to the score that others made and it tells the score or rank as compared to the others. It depicts a value that helps in comparing the value with the rest of the data.
What is the Difference Between Percentage Score and Percentile Rank?
A percentage score tells how much a candidate scored in an examination. This shows his individual score. While a percentile rank shows the candidate's relative score with respect to the other candidates who appeared for the examination. Let us understand this with the help of an example.
Example: In a class of 40 students, Tia's rank is 4th. She scored 480 out of 750 marks in her examination. Let us calculate her percentage of marks and her percentile in class.
Solution: In order to find the percentage of marks that Tia scored in the exam, we will use the formula: [(Marks scored by Tia)/(Total marks)] × 100. We know that Marks scored by Tia = 480, Total marks = 750. So, after substituting the values in the formula, we get, [(Marks scored by Tia)/(Total marks)] × 100 = [(480)/(750)] × 100 = 64%. Therefore, Tia's percentage is 64%
In order to find Tia's percentile in the examination, we use the formula, [(Number of students who scored lesser marks than Tia) ÷ (Total number of students)] × 100. Here, we can see that since Tia's rank is 4th in her class, this means that out of 40 students 36 students scored lesser than Tia. (40 - 4 = 36). So, after substituting the values in this formula we get, [(Number of students who scored lesser marks than Tia) ÷ (Total number of students)] × 100 = [(36)/(40)] × 100 = 90. Therefore, Tia's percentile = 90.
How to Calculate Percentage?
Percentage can be calculated using the simple formula, [(Given Value)/(Total value)] × 100. For example, if a class has 25 students out of which 6 are girls, let us find the percentage of girls in the class. For this, we will substitute the values in the formula, which will be [(Given Value)/(Total value)] × 100 = [(6)/(25)] × 100 = 24%. This means the percentage of girls in the class is 24%.
Which is Better Percentage or Percentile?
Percentage and Percentile are two different concepts. This is because percentage tells us the individual score and percentile shows the relative score in comparison with others. Therefore, these two cannot be compared. For individual scores, percentage is useful and if we want to know where a candidate stands as compared to others, then percentile is useful. Percentile is usually used in competitive exams or by companies to compare the relative performance.
Is there a Difference Between Percentage and Percentile?
Yes, percentage and percentile are two different concepts. Percentage is a number or ratio expressed in terms of 100 while percentile is a relative value that helps in finding out where a candidate stands as compared to the others.