Understanding fractions and percentages is a fundamental concept in mathematics, and converting between them is a crucial skill. One common fraction that may seem daunting to convert is 6/120. In this article, we'll explore what 6/120 is in percentage form and provide a simple, step-by-step guide on how to achieve this conversion.
To begin, let's establish that fractions represent a part of a whole, while percentages represent a part of 100. The fraction 6/120 can be simplified, and then we can use this simplified form to calculate its equivalent percentage. This process involves basic mathematical operations, making it accessible to anyone with a basic understanding of fractions and percentages.
Converting 6/120 to a Percentage
The first step in converting 6/120 to a percentage is to simplify the fraction. To simplify 6/120, we find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 6 and 120. The GCD of 6 and 120 is 6. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 6 gives us 1/20.
Now that we have 1/20, we can convert this fraction to a decimal. To do this, we divide the numerator by the denominator: 1 ÷ 20 = 0.05. With the decimal form of 1/20 being 0.05, we can now easily convert it to a percentage by multiplying by 100.
So, 0.05 * 100 = 5%. Therefore, 6/120 is equal to 5%.
Understanding the Conversion Process
The conversion process from a fraction to a percentage involves a few key steps: simplifying the fraction if necessary, converting the fraction to a decimal, and then converting the decimal to a percentage. This process may seem straightforward, but it's essential to understand each step to ensure accuracy.
Simplifying fractions helps in making the conversion easier and reduces the chance of errors. In the case of 6/120, simplifying it to 1/20 made the subsequent steps more manageable.
| Fraction | Decimal | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 6/120 | 0.05 | 5% |
| 1/20 | 0.05 | 5% |
Key Points
- The fraction 6/120 can be simplified to 1/20.
- Converting 1/20 to a decimal gives 0.05.
- 0.05 as a percentage is 5%.
- The conversion process involves simplifying the fraction, converting to a decimal, and then to a percentage.
- Understanding each step of the conversion process ensures accuracy.
Real-World Applications
Understanding how to convert fractions to percentages has numerous real-world applications. For instance, in finance, percentages are used to represent interest rates, investment returns, and discounts. In statistics, percentages are used to represent data distributions and trends.
In everyday life, being able to quickly convert fractions to percentages can help in making informed decisions, such as calculating tips, discounts, and interest rates.
Common Conversion Mistakes
One common mistake when converting fractions to percentages is not simplifying the fraction before converting. This can lead to errors and inaccuracies. Another mistake is incorrect decimal conversion, which can also lead to wrong percentage values.
To avoid these mistakes, it's essential to double-check each step of the conversion process and ensure that the fraction is simplified before proceeding.
What is 6⁄120 as a percentage?
+6⁄120 as a percentage is 5%. This is achieved by first simplifying 6⁄120 to 1⁄20, converting 1⁄20 to a decimal (0.05), and then converting 0.05 to a percentage (5%).
How do you simplify 6⁄120?
+To simplify 6⁄120, find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 6 and 120, which is 6. Divide both the numerator and denominator by 6 to get 1⁄20.
What are the steps to convert a fraction to a percentage?
+The steps to convert a fraction to a percentage are: 1) Simplify the fraction if necessary, 2) Convert the fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator, and 3) Convert the decimal to a percentage by multiplying by 100.