7/42 as a percentage is 16.67%. This value tells you how much of a whole the fraction represents when expressed in a more familiar form.
The fraction 7/42 can also be simplified to 1/6 before thinking about its size. Even without the simplification, the percentage stays the same, giving a clear picture of the proportion.
When you see 16.67% in a chart or a report, you know it means the same amount as the original fraction 7/42. This makes it easier to compare with other percentages in everyday situations.