Page "Percentage" Paragraph 56

The word " percentage " is often a misnomer in the context of sports statistics, when the referenced number is expressed as a decimal proportion, not a percentage: " The Phoenix Suns ' Shaquille O ' Neal led the NBA with a. 609 field goal percentage ( FG %) during the 2008-09 season.

" ( O ' Neal made 60. 9 % of his shots, not 0. 609 %.

) Likewise, the winning percentage of a team, the fraction of matches that the club has won, is also usually expressed as a decimal proportion ; a team that has a. 500 winning percentage has won 50 % of their matches.

The practice is probably related to the similar way that batting averages are quoted.