what is 3 of 21

2 min read 26-12-2024

What does "3 of 21" mean? It represents a part of a larger whole, a concept expressed mathematically through fractions and ratios. This article will explain this concept clearly and provide different ways to understand and represent "3 of 21."

Understanding Fractions

At its core, "3 of 21" describes a fraction. A fraction shows a part of a whole. In this case:

Numerator (3): Represents the part we're interested in. We have 3 items.
Denominator (21): Represents the total number of items. We have a total of 21 items.

Therefore, "3 of 21" is written as the fraction 3/21.

Simplifying the Fraction

The fraction 3/21 can be simplified. Simplification means reducing the fraction to its lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). The GCD of 3 and 21 is 3.

3 ÷ 3 = 1 21 ÷ 3 = 7

So, the simplified fraction is 1/7. This means "3 of 21" is equivalent to one-seventh.

Understanding Ratios

"3 of 21" can also be expressed as a ratio. A ratio compares two quantities. In this case, the ratio is 3:21 (3 to 21). Like the fraction, this ratio can be simplified to 1:7 (1 to 7).

Representing "3 of 21" Visually

Imagine you have 21 marbles. 3 of them are red, and the rest are different colors. The fraction 3/21 (or 1/7) represents the proportion of red marbles to the total number of marbles.

Real-World Examples

"3 of 21" could represent many scenarios:

Test scores: You answered 3 out of 21 questions correctly on a test.
Sales: You sold 3 items out of 21 that were available.
Surveys: 3 out of 21 respondents chose a particular option.

Calculating Percentages

To express "3 of 21" as a percentage, we divide the numerator by the denominator and multiply by 100:

(3 ÷ 21) × 100 ≈ 14.29%

Therefore, "3 of 21" represents approximately 14.29%.

Conclusion

"3 of 21" is a simple yet fundamental concept in mathematics. Understanding fractions and ratios is crucial for interpreting proportions and solving various problems in daily life. By simplifying the fraction and expressing it as a ratio or percentage, we can better understand the relationship between the part (3) and the whole (21). Remember that "3 of 21" is equivalent to 1/7, 1:7, and approximately 14.29%.