42/87 as a percentage is 48.28%. This number comes from the same value you get when you turn the fraction into a decimal and then multiply by 100. It’s a quick way to see how large the part is compared to a whole.
The fraction 42/87 can be reduced a little, but the percentage stays the same. Whether you write it as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent, you are describing the same portion of a whole. Using a percent makes it easier to compare with other numbers that are also expressed this way.
In everyday situations, you might see 48.28% on a chart, a report, or a test score. Knowing the percent helps you understand the size of the fraction without doing extra math each time. It’s a handy shortcut for quick comparisons.