Skill: Estimate percents using benchmarks

A percent tells how many parts out of $100$ you have. To estimate a percent of a number, compare the percent to a familiar benchmark such as $25\%$, $50\%$, or $75\%$.

Example: Estimate $24\%$ of $83$.

1. Choose a nearby benchmark.
   $24\%$ is close to $25\%$.

2. Use the benchmark as a familiar fraction.
   Since $25\%=\frac14$, find one-fourth of $83$:

$$83\div 4=20.75$$

3. Round to a friendly estimate.

$$20.75\approx 21$$

So, $24\%$ of $83$ is approximately

$$\boxed{21}$$

This is reasonable because $24\%$ is just a little less than $25\%$, so the answer should be just a little less than one-fourth of $83$.