What is 3 of 18? Understanding Fractions and Percentages
The question "What is 3 of 18?" is asking us to find a portion or fraction of a whole number. There are several ways to approach this problem, and we'll explore them here.
1. Understanding the Fraction:
The phrase "3 of 18" can be directly translated into a fraction: 3/18. This means 3 out of 18 parts. This fraction represents a part-to-whole relationship.
2. Simplifying the Fraction:
The fraction 3/18 can be simplified by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (3) and the denominator (18). The GCD of 3 and 18 is 3. Dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 3, we get:
3 ÷ 3 / 18 ÷ 3 = 1/6
Therefore, 3 out of 18 is equivalent to 1/6.
3. Calculating the Percentage:
To express "3 of 18" as a percentage, we can use the following formula:
(Part / Whole) * 100%
In this case:
(3 / 18) * 100% = 0.1667 * 100% = 16.67% (approximately)
So, 3 out of 18 is approximately 16.67% of the whole.
4. Real-World Example:
Imagine you have a box of 18 chocolates, and you eat 3 of them. The fraction 3/18 (or its simplified form 1/6) represents the portion of chocolates you've eaten. The percentage, 16.67%, also represents the same proportion.
In Summary:
"3 of 18" can be represented as:
- The fraction: 3/18 = 1/6
- The percentage: Approximately 16.67%
Understanding how to convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages is crucial in various mathematical and real-world situations. This simple example demonstrates the fundamental concepts and their practical application.
