Mixed and Decimal Numbers

Method

Converting a Fraction Into a Decimal Number

It is possible to convert a fraction into a decimal number and the other way around. Consider the following fraction. 16/25 Divide the numerator of 16 by the denominator of 25 by using the long division to rewrite the fraction as a decimal.

The long division of 16 over 25

The result is 0.64. This is the decimal number that corresponds to the fraction 1625.

Extra

Rewriting Fractions With the Denominators That Are Powers of 10
A fraction can have a denominator that is a power of 10. Consider a few examples.

Fraction 7/10 26/100 782/1000

In that case, the procedure of the long division of the numerator by the denominator is not the best way to go. Instead, the fraction can be rewritten directly as a decimal. First, count how many zeros each denominator has.

Fraction 7/1 0 26/1 00 782/1 000
Number of Zeros 1 2 3

Then, move the decimal point of the numerator to the left the number of times equal to the number of zeros in the denominator. For example, in the case of 710, there is one zero. This indicates that the decimal point of 7 will be moved one place to the left.

7.0 after division by 10 becomes 0.7

The rest of the fractions can be rewritten into decimal numbers in a similar manner.

Fraction 7/10 26/100 782/1000
Number of Zeros 1 2 3
Decimal 0.7 0.26 0.782

Exercises
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