1. The problem is to find the value of 26% as a decimal or fraction. 2. Percent means per hundred, so 26% means 26 out of 100. 3. The formula to convert percent to decimal is: $$\text{Decimal} = \frac{\text{Percent}}{100}$$ 4. Applying the formula: $$\frac{26}{100}$$ 5. Simplify the fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by 2: $$\frac{\cancel{26}}{\cancel{100}} = \frac{13}{50}$$ 6. As a decimal, divide 13 by 50: $$13 \div 50 = 0.26$$ 7. Therefore, 26% equals 0.26 as a decimal or \frac{13}{50} as a simplified fraction.