To change a fraction into a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. 3/8 = 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375. This decimal stops, so it is a terminating decimal.
Some fractions give a decimal that repeats forever. 1/3 = 0.333…, written 0.3 with a dot over the 3, and 2/11 = 0.1818…, with dots over the 1 and the 8. These are recurring decimals. A fraction in its simplest form terminates only if its denominator has no prime factors except 2 and 5.
Worked example
Write 5/8 as a decimal.
- Divide 5 by 8: 5.000 ÷ 8.
- 50 ÷ 8 = 6 r 2, 20 ÷ 8 = 2 r 4, 40 ÷ 8 = 5.
Answer:0.625
Key words
- terminating decimal
- a decimal that stops
- recurring decimal
- a decimal with digits that repeat forever
- rational number
- a number that can be written as a fraction
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 7.NS.A.2d