In the proportion $\frac{ x}{100} = \frac{a}{total}$ which is the percent: $x$ or $\frac{x}{100}$? In the proportion: $\frac{x}{100} = \frac{a}{total}$ which is the percent: $x$ or $\frac{x}{100}$?
For example, when asked to find $50\%$ of $2$, I would answer $a=\frac{50}{100}\cdot2=1$.
Here $\frac{50}{100}$ is the percent because  $50\% =\frac{50}{100}=\frac{1}{2}$. 
When asked what percent $3$ is of $4$, I would answer $x=\frac{3}{4}\cdot100=75\%$
Now $x$ alone is a percent, not $\frac{x}{100}$ What am I doing wrong? 
Answer: Percent is the numerator of a fraction whose denominator is $100$.

When you are asked for the percentage, it is $x\%$. When you are asked for the fraction, it is $\frac{x}{100}$.
