Fractions
Express a Fraction as a Decimal
We use long division to change a fraction to a decimal. Here is the process:
- Set up a long division problem dividing the numerator by the denominator.
- Write a decimal point and several zeroes after the numerator (dividend).
- Perform the division placing the decimal point in the same place in the quotient (result).
- The quotient from this division will be in one of three forms:
- whole number
- terminating decimal
- repeating decimal
Example 1: Whole Number Quotient
Suppose we want to convert the following fraction to a decimal:
Example 2: Terminating Decimal Quotient
In this example, we want the decimal equivalent of this fraction:
Example 3: Repeating Decimal Quotient
Consider the final example fraction:
Practice:
Change the following fractions to decimals.
