How to Convert Fractions into Decimals
Step 1: Set up Your Division Problem
Charles McKeague suggests using the fraction bar to imply the symbol for division in his Prealgebra text.http://books.google.com/books?id=rlGnbjcFswAC&pg=PA393&lpg=PA393&dq=mckeague+convert+fractions+to+decimals&source=bl&ots=VeLtOsSRoy&sig=wxFEsDEgdRp2UbB8zht2IquMkuQ&hl=en&ei=zHR2TYTmIIL7lwfX062UCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Turn the fraction into a long division problem will determine how many times the denominator will go into the numerator. If the denominator is larger then the numerator, add a decimal point and a zero to the numerator before dividing. Adding a zero will cause your answer to begin after the the decimal point, so place a decimal on your horizontal division line directly above where you placed the decimal underneath.
For example, if you have the fraction 3/8, turn it into 3 divided by 8, where the 3 is under the division bar. Since 8 cannot go into 3, add a decimal after 3 and add a 0. You will divide 8 into 3.0.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBzqxRIa9BY
Step 2: Perform Long Division
Solve the long division problem. See how many times the denominator will go into your numerator. Place the number on the top of the divisor. If you are left with a remainder, add another zero to your numerator. Bring the zero down next to your remainder and divide this new number by your denominator. Continue this dividing process until you are left with a remainder of zero or a repeating numerical pattern.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBzqxRIa9BY
Step 3: Complete the Number
Complete the division problem. If a pattern of repeating numbers appears, you can can notate the pattern by placing a bar over the numbers in the decimal.http://www.purplemath.com/modules/percents2.htm#Fraction_to_Decimal Decimals can also be rounded off using mental math. Increase the value of the number to be rounded if the number to the right is 5 or higher and make no change to the number if the value is smaller than 5.http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/decunit/roundec/roundec.htm
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
How to Convert Fractions into Decimals Videos
References
Meet Our Experts
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Julie Clark
Julie Clark is a high school math teacher with over seven years of classroom experience. Clark is also a motivational speaker with the "Making It Count" program, speaking at a number of schools across 11 states and reaching over 10,000 students. Julie says that her favorite thing about teaching math is "getting that light bulb to go off for the student that 'doesn't get' or 'hates' math."
Experts Cited in this Article
Elizabeth Stapel is the founder of Purplemath.com, listed on Schoolzone's webguide of recommended sites and Homeschool.com's "Top 100" Web sites. After earning a master's degree in mathematics from Washington University, Stapel taught middle school, high school, and college students within a variety of educational settings including Washington University, Sylvan Learning Center, and Arizona State University.http://www.purplemath.com/resume.htm
Charles P. "Pat" McKeague is the CEO of XYZ Textbooks and the founder of MathTV.com. After earning his master's degree in mathematics from Brigham Young University, he taught math at the high school and 2-year college level. In 1985 McKeague resigned his full time teaching position to become a textbook author. He taught calculus and differential equations at Cal Poly State University, and worked with the American Mathematics Association for Two-Year College Beyond Crossroads project to establish math instruction standards. McKeague speaks regularly at regional and national mathematics conferences on a variety of math-related topics.http://www.xyztextbooks.com/about_us.html
Tips for Converting Fractions into Decimals
- Elizabeth Stapel suggests that you think of each fraction as a division problem to make it easier.http://www.purplemath.com/modules/percents2.htm#Fraction_to_Decimal
- When dividing a larger number into a smaller number, add a decimal point and zeros to the smaller number.
- Use a bar to notate decimals with repeating digits.
What Exactly is a Fraction?
A fraction represents a number divided into two parts with one number resting above another. These vertically-spaced numbers are visually separated by a horizontal line. The bottom number is called the denominator and represents how many parts into which the total number is divided. The top figure, or the numerator, quantifies how many parts you have. Visualize a pizza. The denominator represents the number of total slices in the pizza, and the numerator would be the number of slices of pizza you have out of that total.http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/fractiondecimalpercentage/fractions/introduction/factsheet1.shtml
