Converting fractions to decimals

This chapter explores converting fractions to decimals. It covers writing fractions as decimal numbers and writing mixed numbers as decimals.

Tenth fractions as decimals

The number line below shows the tenth fractions for 0 to 10.

We can add another decimal number line below the fraction number line to observe equivalent decimals to each fraction on the fraction number line.

Above we can see that 2/10 is equivalent to 0.2, that is;

And 5/10 is equivalent to 0.5;

Quarters as Fractions

Below are two number lines the decimal and fraction number line. The fractions shown on the number line are in the intervals of a quarter.

Above we can see that ¼ is equivalent 0,25.

…and ¾ is equivalent to 0.75 as shown below;

How to convert a fraction into a decimal

Suppose we wanted to turn 4/5 into a decimal, well…

We simply divide as usual to find the decimal equivalent of the fraction.

Converting 4/5 into a decimal number gives the result of0.8. It is that simply.

Example 2

Suppose we wanted to convert 7/50 into a decimal number.

We simply divide or workout the expression as usual.

It is very simple; you simply just work out or divide the fraction on your calculator.

Working with mixed numbers

Suppose we wanted to work out 19/2. This fraction can result into a mixed number. If we work out 19/2 we would get;

…we would get a remainder 1, we will have to convert this remainder into a fraction. We simply make the remainder the numerator and 2 the denominator to create a new fraction and put it aside 9 as shown below;

½ is the same as 0.5 that must mean that;

which concludes that;