Convert 20.5 to Simplified Fraction: Decimal to Reduced Form

To solve the problem of expressing $20.5$ as a fraction and simplifying, we will follow these steps:

• Step 1: Recognize the whole number part: $20$.
• Step 2: Convert the decimal $0.5$ to a fraction. Since $0.5 = \frac{5}{10}$, and dividing the numerator and denominator by their GCD, 5, gives $\frac{1}{2}$.
• Step 3: Combine the whole number and the fraction: $20 \frac{1}{2}$, which is read as $20$ and $\frac{1}{2}$.

Hence, the number $20.5$ as a fraction is $20\frac{1}{2}$.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $20\frac{1}{2}$.