half a percent

[dtgblue]

can somebody settle a friendly debate me and my mate are having in the pub. What is half a percent numerically, and why do they always say on tv half of one percent when talking about interest rate rises, are not one and two the same? Many thanks.

[Buenchico]

Half of one per cent (or 'half a per cent') is half of one hundredth. Therefore it is ONE TWO-HUNDREDTH.

[factor-fiction]

It is thought to be incorrect to say "half a percent", so the term "half of one percent" is used when spoken. Written down it is 0.5%.
10 percent means 10 parts per hundred
1% means 1 part per hundred
The term " a percent" is meaningless and shouldn't be used.
Similary "half a percent" shouldn't be used
"Half of one percent" does make sense- it means half of one part per hundred.

[factor-fiction]

^ I suppose my references to "percent" should say "per cent"

[dtgblue]

Thanks factor30 my argument was exactly that, that half a percent is meaningless

[factor-fiction]

Happy to help