For 8th grade math students is a solid understanding of basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with whole numbers and fractions. This includes concepts such as finding the sum, difference, product, and quotient of numbers, as well as simplifying fractions.

Students should be comfortable performing operations with fractions, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions, as well as converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions. It is also important for them to have a good grasp of place value and the concept of decimals.

Additionally, students should be familiar with the concept of percentages and have an understanding of basic percentage calculations. They should know how to find a percentage of a given quantity and how to express a fraction or decimal as a percentage.

Once students have a solid foundation in these topics, they will be ready to delve into conversions between fractions, decimals, and percents, which involve expressing the same value in different forms.