3/60 = 5%
The fraction 3/60, or 5%, can describe a small part of a larger group in everyday life. For example, if 3 out of 60 students are absent, that means only a few people are missing from class.
To picture 5% quickly, imagine 100 equal squares with just 5 shaded, or a group of 20 items with about 1 marked item. It is a small amount—roughly one out of every twenty—but still noticeable in a large group.
A common mistake is thinking 3/60 is the same as 3%, because the numerator is 3. The denominator matters too, since it tells you the total number of parts being considered.
