Alberto spent 25 minutes running in the afternoon. What fraction in simplest form represents the part of one hour he spent running.

Question

(multiple choice answers)-25/24 , 25/60 , 5/60 , 5/12

Answer 1

A fraction is a part of a whole, represented by the ratio part/whole .  In this case, the whole is one hour and the part is 25 minutes.  But we must be sure we are comparing equal things.  Since the part is measured in minutes, we need to measure the hour in minutes as well.  One hour is 60 minutes long, so the part of the whole hour that Alberto spent running is 25/60.  Now you need to reduce that fraction to its simplest form.  Here's a hint:

 

25/60 = (5*5)/(5*12)

 

You can cancel one of the 5's in the numerator with the 5 in the denominator.