Introduction

If you are unfamiliar or wish to brush up on percentages watch the following video clips:

What are percentages:

Percentage of a number

Expressing a Number as a Percentage of Another

Percentage change

1 If the public debt is R356 billion, and GDP is R456,8 billion what is the public debt as a percentage (one decimal place) of GDP?

%

It is indeed 77,9%.

It is calculated as follows:

Think again. It is 77,9%.

It is calculated as follows:

2 If foreign direct investment (FDI) is R20.5 billion and GDP is R150,2 billion what is FDI as a percentage (one decimal place) of GDP?

%

It is indeed 13,6%.

Think again. It is 13,6%.

It is calculated as follows:

3 The trade surplus in South Africa widened to R43.8 billion in August 2021 from R37.3 billion in July 2021 due to an increase in commodity prices. The absolute change in the trade balance is

R
billion

It is indeed R6,5 billion

It is calculated as follows: R43,8 billion – R37,3 billion = R6,5 billion

4 The trade surplus in South Africa widened to R43.8 billion in August 2021 from R37.3 billion in July 2021 due to an increase in commodity prices. The percentage change in the trade balance is …

%

It is indeed 17,4%.

There are two ways to calculate it:

It is 17,4%.

There are two ways to calculate it:

5 The Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index (JSE ALSI) decreased to 65 723.7 from 66 100.0 because of the global increase in oil prices. The absolute change is …

It is indeed -376. Note that it is a decrease.

It is calculated as follows:

66 100.0 – 65 723,7 = -376

Think again. It is -376. Not that it is a decrease.

It is calculated as follows:

66 100.0 – 65 723,7 = -376

6 The Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index (JSE ALSI) decreased to 65 723.7 from 66 100.0 because of the global increase in oil prices. The percentage change is -0,6%

%

It is indeed -0,6%. Note it is a decrease.

It is calculated as follows:

Think again. It is -0,6%. Note it is a decrease.

It is calculated as follows:

7 If the central bank decreased the interest rate from 21,9% to 9.4% in order to stimulate the economy what is the percentage change in the interest rate?

%

It is indeed -57,1%

It is -57,1%

8 The unemployment rate was 25.4% in 2019 and increased to 36.7% in 2020. What is the percentage change in the unemployment rate?

%

It is indeed 44,5%.

It is calculated as follows:

Calculate it again. It is 44,5%.

It is calculated as follows:

9 The percentage change in the price of oil from $60 per barrel to $65 is the same as the percentage change form $65 per barrel to $60 per barrel.

Incorrect the statement is false.

The percentage change from $60 to $65 is:

The percentage change from $65 to $60 is:

Correct. The statement is false.

The percentage change from $60 to $65 is:

The percentage change from $65 to $60 is: