Two types of decimal
Once we have defined Set 3 (the rational numbers), we can define two distinct types of decimals
Terminating decimals: those which 'stop' at a given number of decimal places, for example 0.5 (1 decimal place), 0.75 (2
decimal places), 3.125 (3 decimal places) and so on.
Recurring decimals: those which do not 'stop' at a given number of decimal places but which may have a repeating digit
or repeating set of digits after the decimal point, for example:
Exact Decimal
The decimal part of an exact decimal number is composed of a finite number of digits.
Repeating Decimal or Recurring Decimal
1. The decimal part, called the period, is repeated endlessly.
2. The decimal part is composed of an irregular part and a regular part, also known as a period.
Not Exact and Non-Recurrent
Given a fraction, its decimal number can be calculated by taking the denominator and decomposing it into factors.
If the denominator has a factor of only 2, or only 5, or 5 and 2; the fraction is decimal exact.
If the denominator does not have a factor of 2 or 5, the fraction is a repeating decimal of the first type.
If the denominator has factors other than 2 or 5, the fraction is a repeating decimal of the second type.
Decimals to Fraction
Step 1: Write down the decimal divided by 1, like this: decimal/1
Step 2: Multiply both top and bottom by 10 for every number after the decimal point. (For example, if there are two
numbers after the decimal point, then use 100, if there are three then use 1000, etc.)
Step 3: Simplify (or reduce) the fraction
Example: Express 0.75 as a fraction
Step 1: Write down 0.75 divided by 1:
0.75
1
Step 2: Multiply both top and bottom by 100 (there were 2 digits after the decimal point so that is 1010=100):
100
0.75
=
75
1 100
100
(Do you see how it turns the top number
into a whole number?)
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (this took me two steps):
5 5
75
=
15
=
3
100 20 4
5 5
Answer =
3
/
4
Note: 75/100 is called a decimal fraction and 3/4 is called a common fraction !
Example: Express 0.625 as a fraction
Step 1: write down:
0.625
1
Step 2: multiply both top and bottom by 1,000 (there were 3 digits after the decimal point so that is 101010=1,000)
625
1,000
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (it took me two steps here):
25 5
625
=
25
=
5
1,000 40 8
25 5
Answer =
5
/
8
Example: Express 0.333 as a fraction
Step 1: Write down:
0.333
1
Step 2: Multiply both top and bottom by 1,000 (there were 3 digits after the decimal point so that is 101010=1,000)
333
1,000
Step 3: Simplify Fraction:
Can't get any simpler!
Answer =
333
/
1,000
But a Special Note:
If you really meant 0.333... (in other words 3s repeating forever which is called 3 recurring) then we need to follow a
special argument. In this case we would write down:
0.333...
1
Then MULTIPLY both top and bottom by 3:
3
0.333...
=
0.999...
1 3
3
And 0.999... = 1 (Does it? - see the 9 Recurring discussion for more if you are interested), so:
Answer = 1/3
