8/42 as a percentage is 19.05%. This number tells you how much of a whole the fraction represents when you think in terms of 100 parts. It’s a handy way to see the size of the fraction at a glance.
The fraction 8/42 can be reduced to 4/21, which is still the same amount, just written in a simpler form. Whether you write it as 8/42 or 4/21, the value doesn’t change, and it still equals about 19 percent of a whole.
Knowing the percentage makes it easy to compare this fraction with other numbers. For example, 19.05% is a little less than one‑fifth (20%) of something, so you can quickly estimate its size in everyday situations.