Terminating and Repeating Decimals

Method

Converting a Fraction Into a Repeating Decimal Number

Fractions can be written as decimal numbers with the help of the long division method. However, when the denominator of a fraction has a factor other than 2 or 5, the quotient will be a repeating decimal number. Consider, for example, the following fraction. 7/15 It is possible to write this fraction as a decimal in two steps.

1
Use Long Division
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Divide the numerator by the denominator using long division.

Dividing 7 by 15

After some point, the remainder does not become zero and a particular digit or set of digits in the quotient keeps repeating. This means that the quotient is a repeating decimal number.

2
Use Bar Notation to Write the Repeating Decimal
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The fraction was found to be a repeating decimal number. 7/15 = 0.4666... The digit that repeats is 6, so a bar is drawn over that digit. 7/15 = 0.46

Exercises
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