Question 13179
Change these ratios to fractions (it doesn't change anything but the way they look).  

5 out of 10 changes to {{{5/10}}}.  In order to reduce, or simplify, the fraction, find a number that will divide into both evenly.  In this case, 5 will divide into both 5 and 10 evenly.  Divide both numbers by 5 (remember that anything you do to the top of a fraction, you have to do the same to the bottom).  This reduces to {{{1/2}}}, or 1 out of 2.  In order to change a fraction to a percent, change it to a decimal first (divide the top number by the bottom number...remember that a fraction bar is just a divided by sign...).  When you do this, you get .5 - change this to a percent by moving the decimal two places to the right and adding the percent sign, which is 50%.

To reduce 2/6, find a number that will divide evenly into 2 and 6 (which is 2).  This reduces to 1/3.  Change to a percent the same way as above...do 1 divided by 3.  That is .333333 (it keeps repeating).  Change to a percent by moving the decimal two places to the right, and you get 33.3%.  Another way to write this is 33 1/3%.

To reduce 6:36, make it look like a fraction (6/36).  Find a number that divides into both numbers evenly...which is 6.  The fraction reduces to 1/6...or 1:6.  Change to a decimal like the other two (one divided by 6)...which is .16666666 (the 6 will keep repeating).  Change to a percent the same way...and you get 16.7% (or, another way to write it is 16 2/3%).