What does the term 'percent' mean?

The term 'percent' specifically refers to a ratio or fraction expressed as a part of a whole, with the whole being considered as 100. Therefore, 'percent' literally means 'per hundred.' This concept is fundamental in many areas of math, particularly in calculating discounts, interest rates, and any situation where comparisons of proportions are necessary.

When dealing with percentages, you often convert a number into a fraction of 100. For example, if you have a percentage of 25%, it means 25 out of every 100 units, or simply 25/100. This definition clarifies why the correct answer aligns perfectly with the concept of 'percent.'

The context surrounding the other terms highlights their differences: 'per thousand' relates to a base of 1,000 and is used in various other statistical contexts, while 'per ten' and 'part of a whole' summarize values but do not specifically define percentages. Thus, focusing on the base of 100 is what fundamentally characterizes the meaning of 'percent.'