15/20 = 75%
A value like 15/20, or 75%, shows up in everyday situations such as finishing 15 of 20 questions on a quiz. It can also describe completing three-quarters of a project, filling most of a container, or having 15 successful attempts out of 20.
To picture 15/20 quickly, imagine a group of 20 equal squares with 15 shaded and 5 left blank. Since only one-fourth is missing, you can estimate the amount as a little less than the whole—about three out of every four parts.
A common mistake is thinking that 15/20 is closer to 50% because both numbers seem fairly large. The important point is that the numerator, 15, must be compared with the denominator, 20, which represents the total.
