3 divided by 60

2025

2 min read 30-03-2025

Understanding how to divide 3 by 60 is a fundamental math skill. This article will clearly explain the process, offer different ways to approach the problem, and provide real-world examples to solidify your understanding. Whether you're a student brushing up on your arithmetic or an adult needing a refresher, this guide will help you confidently tackle this division problem.

Understanding the Problem: 3 ÷ 60

The problem "3 divided by 60" asks, "How many times does 60 fit into 3?" Since 60 is much larger than 3, 60 will not fit into 3 even once. This means our answer will be less than 1, and we will express it as a decimal or fraction.

Method 1: Converting to a Fraction

The simplest way to represent 3 divided by 60 is as a fraction: 3/60. This fraction can be simplified by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 3 and 60, which is 3. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 3 simplifies the fraction to 1/20.

Method 2: Long Division

While less efficient for this specific problem, long division demonstrates the process clearly.

Set up the long division: Place 3 inside the division symbol and 60 outside.
Add a decimal and zeros: Since 60 doesn't go into 3, add a decimal point after the 3 and add zeros as needed.
Perform the division: 60 goes into 30 zero times. You'll continue adding zeros until you find a solution or reach a repeating decimal. In this case, 60 goes into 300 five times (60 x 5 = 300).
Write the answer: The result is 0.05.

Method 3: Using a Calculator

The quickest method is to use a calculator. Simply enter "3 ÷ 60" and press the equals button. The calculator will immediately display the answer: 0.05.

Expressing the Answer

We've found that 3 divided by 60 equals 0.05 (or 1/20). This means that 3 is 5% of 60 (0.05 x 100 = 5).

Real-World Examples

Let's illustrate with some real-world scenarios:

Recipe Scaling: If a recipe calls for 60 grams of flour but you only want to make a smaller portion using 3 grams, you're using 1/20th or 5% of the original recipe.
Percentage Calculations: If you scored 3 points out of a possible 60, your score is 5%.
Unit Conversions: Imagine converting 3 inches to feet (1 foot = 12 inches). 3 inches is 3/60 of a foot (dividing by 12, the number of inches in a foot).

Conclusion

Dividing 3 by 60 results in 0.05 or 1/20. Understanding this simple division problem is crucial for various applications in everyday life and more advanced mathematical concepts. Whether you prefer fractions, long division, or a calculator, the important thing is to grasp the concept and apply it confidently. Remember, practicing different methods helps solidify your understanding of division and builds your problem-solving skills.