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The music book I am following just introduced me to the Fermata sign. It states the note should be held longer than its value. The Fermata sign includes a dot which I understand indicates that a note is to be held 50% longer. So how long should I hold a note with a Fermata sign over top?

Thank you.

As long as sounds right to you. There are rarely absolutes in regard to these things in music. What sounds right to you almost certainly will be an exact rhythm, but unless you can hear it yourself you won't develop musical taste.

That's a point that applies to a lot of things.

The dot is just part of the sign, i.e., it doesn't indicate to hold longer than 50%. So, you can hold the note as long as you'd like (as long as it sounds reasonable in the musical context).

And make good use of the time while you're holding that fermata note. Check out the upcoming key signature change, the repeat sequence of the music, adjust your butt on the bench. Whatever it takes!

It depends on the piece. On dark minor keyed pieces I'll hold it for a dramatic pause (like on the first page of sonata pathetique after the chromatic run). But for lighter pieces like andante spinato on the semplice parts I'll hold it for only a little less, but still with a dramatic pause.

yeah, it really depends on what you're playing and how you feel about it.