Understanding Fractions and Percentages for the TEAS ATI Math Test

When preparing for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) ATI Mathematics Test, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of fractions and percentages. This isn’t just about crunching numbers; it’s about unraveling concepts that you might soon be using in real-life scenarios, especially in healthcare. You might be asking yourself, why does this matter? Well, let's unravel that!

Imagine you're in a classroom, your peers discussing career aspirations. You hear that 25% of your classmates want to work with infants, while 10% wish to assist general practitioners. At first glance, you might be like, “Great, but what about the elderly?”

Here’s the deal: To figure out how many want to work with elderly folks, you first need to piece together those percentages. So, we’ve got 25%+10%, which equals 35%. Simple math, right? But here's where it gets interesting—this means that 65% of the class has their eyes on the elderly. This deduction is vital: This 65% represents those who want to work with the elderly, a key aspect of the healthcare profession.

But how do we translate 65% into a fraction? You might think, “Oh, this is easy!” You've got 65 out of 100, or 65/100. Don’t panic if the fraction seems a bit cumbersome; we can simplify it to 13/20. Easy peasy, right?

Still, the original question presented multiple-choice options, and you might find yourself scratching your head, searching for 13/20, only to discover it’s not among your possible answers. So, what's up with that? Sometimes, the way questions are framed can throw us off.

So, if we take a step back, we might think about the importance of understanding how to convert percentages to fractions in a broader sense. It’s not just a Math 101 problem; it’s about building a strong foundation for your future career, especially in nursing, where you’ll encounter these concepts daily—from dosages to patient care assessments.

In summary, the ability to transition between percentages and fractions isn't just necessary for passing tests; it’s a skill that can enhance your professional competence. So the next time you run into a percentage question, remember: it’s not just about the right answer; it's about embracing the learning process. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be finding those answers with confidence and clarity. You know what? You've got this!