These exchanges probably sound familiar:
Sam: Are you sure you want to go?
Jo: Yep. Totally… 110%
Mal: Is this a really committed relationship?
Toni: Absolutely… 1,000%
A mathematical impossibility – in both cases.
It’s also a valid language concern.
100% sure?
In the examples, above, the speakers are sure about their positions – very sure.
They feel the need to emphasise their certainty but they don’t understand that words like ‘totally’ and ‘absolutely’ already do that. These are adverbs that convey a ‘complete degree’ of certainty or commitment.
To add something for extra emphasis is fine; it’s what we tend to do, especially in spoken language.
Saying ‘100%’ – which is a colloquial way of saying ‘completely’ – does the job perfectly well.
A percentage figure over 100, though, is just nonsense in these cases.
Mathematical percentages
Percentages over 100 are possible, of course, but they only make sense when we’re talking about number-related amounts (countables) – in terms of increases or when making comparisons.
For example:
Our landholdings increased by 110% – from 50 to 105 hectares
Revenue went from $2 million to $5 million this year; that’s an increase (or improvement) of 150%
Charitable donations rose from 100 items in the first month to a massive 5,100 two years later; an increase of 5,000%
In these cases, too, it matters what language we use.
One key thing to note is the difference between saying: ‘an increase of x%, as in the previous examples, and ‘x% of’ or ‘x% more than’.
Here’s an example:
We compared our salaries. I earn $100,000 p.a. My sister’s salary is 110% of mine, at $110,000 (i.e. a 10% increase or 10% more)
I earn $100,000. My sister’s salary is 110% more than mine; she earns $210,000.
The language makes a big difference!
Finally, let’s talk about % reductions.
A 50% reduction is easy; that’s half-price
A reduction of 100% means it’s free
It’s impossible to have more than 100% reduction in anything
A decrease of more than 100% is only conceivable in cases where you are dealing in negative values.
Is your head hurting yet? 😣
There are a lot of nuances between American and British English as you know. I thought your post was going to be about your title "Do The Maths". It sounds wrong to me because we would say "Do the math". However variety is the spice of life, and both are corrects.:)
You're right, of course.
'Do The Math' sounds wrong to me... the subject is always plural in British English.
At least we can still understand one another 😊