Have you ever wondered how to convert decimals into fractions? Do you find it challenging to understand the process? Don’t worry! This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to change decimals into fractions with examples and explanations.
Converting decimals to fractions is a fundamental mathematical skill that can be useful in various academic and real-world scenarios. Understanding this process allows for greater flexibility in mathematical calculations and a deeper comprehension of numerical relationships. Here, we will explore a step-by-step guide on how to convert decimals into fractions. But before, lets know about what is Decimals and Fractions?
What is Decimals and Fractions?
Before we dive into the conversion process, let’s briefly review the concepts of decimals and fractions.
Decimals: A decimal is a number that consists of a whole number and a fraction, separated by a decimal point. For example, 2.5 is a decimal that represents 2 wholes and 5 parts of a whole.
Fractions: A fraction is a number that represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator and a denominator, separated by a fraction bar. For example, 3/4 is a fraction that represents 3 parts of a whole out of 4 equal parts.
Converting Decimals into Fractions:
Now that we understand decimals and fractions let’s move on to the conversion process.
Step 1: Identify the Decimal
The first step is to identify the decimal that you want to convert into a fraction. For example, let’s convert the decimal 0.75 into a fraction.
Step 2: Determine the Place Value of the Decimal
The next step is to determine the place value of the decimal. In our example, 0.75 is a hundredth because the decimal point is two places to the right of the ones place.
Step 3: Write the Fraction
Now that we know the place value of the decimal, we can write the fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the decimal without the decimal point, and the denominator is 10 raised to the power of the number of decimal places.
In our example, the numerator is 75 (0.75 without the decimal point), and the denominator is 10 raised to the power of 2 (100).
Step 4: Simplify the Fraction
The final step is to simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
In our example, the GCD of 75 and 100 is 25.
Therefore, the fraction is 75/100 simplified to 3/4.
Examples:
Let’s look at some more examples to solidify our understanding.
👉 Example 1: Convert the decimal 0.375 into a fraction.
Step 1: Identify the Decimal
0.375
Step 2: Determine the Place Value of the Decimal
The decimal 0.375 is a thousandth because the decimal point is three places to the right of the ones place.
Step 3: Write the Fraction
The numerator is 375 (0.375 without the decimal point), and the denominator is 10 raised to the power of 3 (1000).
Step 4: Simplify the Fraction
The GCD of 375 and 1000 is 125.
Therefore, the fraction is 375/1000 simplified to 3/8.
Find the Result on our Decimal to Fractions Calculator – Screenshot Attached 👇
👉 Example 2: Convert the decimal 0.125 into a fraction.
Step 1: Identify the Decimal
0.125
Step 2: Determine the Place Value of the Decimal
The decimal 0.125 is a sixteenth because the decimal point is four places to the right of the ones place.
Step 3: Write the Fraction
The numerator is 125 (0.125 without the decimal point), and the denominator is 10 raised to the power of 4 (10000).
Step 4: Simplify the Fraction
The GCD of 125 and 10000 is 125.
Therefore, the fraction is 125/10000 simplified to 1/80.
Conclusion:
Converting decimals into fractions is a simple process that involves determining the place value of the decimal, writing the fraction, and simplifying it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily convert any decimal into a fraction. Practice with different decimals to solidify your understanding and become proficient in this essential math skill.