Fractions and multipliers (la mitad, el doble)

Wholesale math: Calculating margins

Running a wholesale business requires quick calculations, like finding costs and subtracting (restar) to determine the margin.

The wholesaler calculates the cost.
El mayorista calcula el costo.
If you subtract the cost, you see the margin.
Si restas el costo, ves el margen.

Fractions: Halves and thirds

Use la mitad (half) and un tercio (a third) to express fractions. Add de (of) to specify what you are dividing. Remember that de + el contracts to del.

The wholesaler sells half of the lot.
El mayorista vende la mitad del lote.
We calculate a third of the budget.
Calculamos un tercio del presupuesto.

Multipliers: Double and triple

Use el doble (de) for "double" and el triple (de) for "triple".

This lot has double the products.
Este lote tiene el doble de productos.

If the context is clear, you can drop de and the noun.

The new product costs triple.
El nuevo producto cuesta el triple.

Profits and inventory

Combine these fractions and multipliers to manage your warehouse (el almacén) and calculate your overall profit (la ganancia).

The profit per dozen is double the cost.
La ganancia por docena es el doble del costo.
We are organizing the warehouse, and we need half of the inventory.
Estamos organizando el almacén y necesitamos la mitad del inventario.