Determining what proportion one number represents of another, expressed as a percentage, involves a calculation. In this instance, the objective is to ascertain the percentage that 59 constitutes when compared to 558. This is achieved by dividing the first number (59) by the second number (558), and then multiplying the result by 100 to express the answer as a percentage. For example, if one wishes to know what percentage 10 is of 100, the calculation would be (10/100) * 100 = 10%.
Understanding proportional relationships and expressing them as percentages is fundamental in numerous applications. This skill is crucial in financial analysis for calculating profit margins, in statistical analysis for representing data distributions, and in everyday life for understanding discounts and price increases. Historically, the concept of percentages has been utilized since ancient times to facilitate commerce, taxation, and resource allocation, providing a standardized method for comparing quantities.