Originally Posted by Val
I agree with blackcat; you can't multiply "12% * 20" directly because the two terms have different units. The % sign indicates that the 12 is on a scale that the 20 isn't on.

You need to include a conversion factor first, which you're doing with the fraction, but maybe not realizing that this is what you're doing. (?) The conversion to 12/100 puts the percent on the same scale as the 20.
Ah... something like that, yes. I stand corrected. smile