If you have 5 apples and you eat 2, what fraction of apples is left?

If you have 5 apples and you eat 2, what fraction of apples is left?

• A. 2/5
• B. 1/5
• C. 3/4
• D. 3/5

Answer: (D)

You're looking at what portion of the original apples remains. Start with 5 apples; after eating 2, you have 3 left. The fraction that is left is the part that remains over the original whole: 3 out of 5, which is 3/5. Why the others don’t fit: 2/5 would describe the portion eaten, not the portion left; 1/5 would mean only 1 apple remains; and 3/4 would apply if there were 4 apples total, with 3 remaining—not the scenario here, since the total was 5.

You're looking at what portion of the original apples remains. Start with 5 apples; after eating 2, you have 3 left. The fraction that is left is the part that remains over the original whole: 3 out of 5, which is 3/5.

Why the others don’t fit: 2/5 would describe the portion eaten, not the portion left; 1/5 would mean only 1 apple remains; and 3/4 would apply if there were 4 apples total, with 3 remaining—not the scenario here, since the total was 5.