Figure

Math and relationships

Percentages

Find a percentage amount, add an allowance, apply a discount, or divide by a percentage.

A percentage describes a share of a starting amount. Multiplying finds that share; adding or subtracting applies it to the original amount. Choose the operation before entering an allowance, discount or portion.

Add a waste allowance

Add a percentage to a measured quantity before ordering material.1

What percent means

Percent means out of 100. A 10% allowance adds 10 for every 100. Use + to add the allowance to your starting quantity; use × if you only want the allowance itself.

Try it · 240 ft² plus 10%

Select Area with 2nd → Area. Use 2nd if ft² is above its key.

  1. Start fresh

    Press Clear entry, then Clear entry, then Second, then Select area units.

  2. Area to cover

    Press 240, then Square feet, then Add.

  3. Add the allowance

    Press 10, then Second, then Percent.
  1. Total including allowance264 square feet

No final = needed; % completes this calculation.

Also useful for

Flooring, insulation, sheet goods and paint estimates. The same percent key handles tax, price increases and discounts; use − to take a percentage off.

Remember

10% is an example, not a recommended waste factor. Choose the allowance for your job, then round the order up to whole packs, sheets or lengths.

Find a portion

Multiply the quantity by the percent.

Start a new calculation

Use 2nd if a unit is above its button.

  1. Start fresh

    Press Clear entry, then Clear entry.

  2. Press the keys

    Press Select length units.

Calculate

  1. Quantity

    Press 500, then feet, then Multiply.

  2. Percent

    Press 18, then Second, then Percent.
  1. Example result90 feet 0 inches

Add a percentage

Add a percentage of the starting quantity.1

Start a new calculation

  1. Press Clear entry, then Clear entry.

Calculate

  1. Quantity

    Press 137, then Second, then Select area units, then Square feet, then Add.

  2. Percent

    Press 10, then Second, then Percent.
  1. Example result150.7 square feet

Subtract a percentage

Subtract a percentage of the starting quantity.

Start a new calculation

Use 2nd if a unit is above its button.

  1. Start fresh

    Press Clear entry, then Clear entry.

  2. Press the keys

    Press Select length units.

Calculate

  1. Quantity

    Press 552, then feet, then 6, then inches, then Subtract.

  2. Percent

    Press 20, then Second, then Percent.
  1. Example result442 feet 0 inches

Divide by a percentage

Divide the quantity by the percentage.2

Start a new calculation

Use 2nd if a unit is above its button.

  1. Start fresh

    Press Clear entry, then Clear entry.

  2. Press the keys

    Press Select length units.

Calculate

  1. Quantity

    Press 350, then meters, then Divide.

  2. Percent

    Press 80, then Second, then Percent.
  1. Example result437.500 meters

Display assumptions

  1. Area units: Automatic. ↩1↩2

  2. Meter decimal places: Fixed: 3. ↩

Keep the guide beside your calculation.

These examples are built into Figure. Open Help while you calculate, then return to the same guide and reading position.

See Help in Figure →