In a survey for a school project, if 40% of students say they prefer math, what fraction of students favor math?

To determine the fraction of students who prefer math based on the given percentage, one can start by understanding what 40% represents in fractional terms.

The percentage 40% can be converted to a fraction by recognizing that it is equivalent to ( \frac{40}{100} ). This fraction can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 20.

When we simplify ( \frac{40}{100} ), we divide both parts by 20:

[

\frac{40 \div 20}{100 \div 20} = \frac{2}{5}

]

Thus, the fraction of students who favor math is ( \frac{2}{5} ). This shows that 40% of students can be accurately represented as the fraction ( \frac{2}{5} ).

Observing the other options, they do not correctly reflect the simplification of 40% into a fraction. Therefore, ( \frac{2}{5} ) stands out as the accurate representation of the students’ preference for math.