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Chapter 5  Decimals

5-8   Converting Between Fractions and Decimals

 

Converting Fractions to Decimals

Procedure

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the denominator into the numerator.

Example

1/4 = 1 � 4 = 0.2

 

When you do these conversions from fractions to decimals, you often find that there is no apparent end to the number of decimal places. For example, you will never find the end of the decimals when converting 2/3 to a decimal fraction. Try it:

2 � 3 = 0.6666666666...

It simply goes on forever and ever. Actually, most fraction-to-decimal conversions turn out that way. Make up some of your own and try them.

The answer to the problem of unending decimils is to simply round off the decimal. So 2

 

Examples

1. Convert 3/10 to a decimal value
 
2. Problem: Convert 5/8 to a decimal value.
Solution: 5/8 = 5 � 8 = 0.625
3. Problem: Convert 1 3/4 to a decimal value.
Solution: 1 3/4 = 1 + 3 � 4 = 1 + 0.75 = 1.75
4. Problem: Convert 3 2/3 to a decimal value. Round to the nearest thousandth.
Solution: 3 2/3 = 3 + 2 � 3 = 3 + 0.667 = 3.667

 

 

Exercises

Convert the followng fractions and mixed numbers to their decimal equivalents. Round to the nearest hundredth when necessary.
Click the  ?  symbol to see the correct answer.

1.   1/5   =  ?  2.    8/25 =  ? 
3.   11/20   =  ?  4.   2 1/4 =  ? 
5.   4 27/50   =  ? 

 

5-8.2    Converting Decimals to Fractions

 

Procedure

To convert a decimal to a fraction:

  1. Write a fraction that shows the decimal value as the numerator and 1 as the denominator.
  2. Continue mutiplying the numerator and denominator by 10 until there is no longer a fraction portion in the numerator.
  3. Reduce the result as necessary.

Example

Step 1:   0.25 = 0.25/1
Step 2:   0.25/1 = 2.5/10 = 25/100
Step 3:   25/100 = 1/4
 
So 0.25 = 1/4

 

Exercises

Click the  ?  symbol to see the correct answer.
Convert the followng decimals to equivalent fractions or mixed numbers.

1.   0.24 =  ?  2.  0.6  =  ? 
3.   0.64 =  ?  4.  3.75 =  ? 
5.   6.92 =  ? 

Author: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services

Copyright � 2006, David L. Heiserman
All Rights Reserved