QA – Recurring Decimal

Recurring Decimal: DEFINITION

A decimal number in which a digit or a set of digits repeats regularly, after the decimal, is called
a recurring decimal or periodic decimal.
For example
a) ̅ or ̇
b) ̅ or 4 ̇
c) ̅̅̅̅
d) ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̇ ̇.

The recurring part is expressed by putting the bar or dot

Prime Numbers
If p is a prime number other than 2 and 5, is always a recurring decimal, with a period of p-1
or a divisor of p-1. Eg. . (Period is the number of digits
which are repeated)
For example 1/7 = ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅, i.e. 7-1=6 digits are repeated
For example 1/11= ̅̅̅̅̅ , i.e. 2 digits are repeated and 2 is a factor of 10=11-1

FORMULA FOR CONVERSION OF RECURRING DECIMAL INTO VULGAR FRACTION

1) The numerator will be the value derived by subtracting from the given number
(recurring set taken once), another number formed by the non recurring digits after
decimal point.
2) The denominator will be consist of 9s and 0s with as many 9’s as there are recurring
digits and as may zeros as there is number of non recurring digits after the decimal
point.

For example :

( )

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QA – Recurring Decimal

The logic behind the formula

Say x=

Therefore 100x =

And 1000 x=

Therefore 900 x=

And x= 173/990 =

Say x=

Therefore 100x =

And 10000 x=

Therefore 9900 x=

And x= 52829/9900 =

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF RECURRING DECIMALS

EXAMPLE : 4

SOLUTION: 4

Alternatively
Step 1. Write the numbers as one above other
4.681818181

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QA – Recurring Decimal

9.396396396
Step 2. Divide this number into two parts. In the first part left side write as many digits as
there will be integral value with non recurring decimal. In the right side write as many digits as
the LCM of the number of recurring digits in the given decimal number
4.6 818181 (Since 5.7 is the integral + non-recurring part]
9.3 963963 (The LCM of 2 and 3 is 6]

Step 3. Now add or subtract as usual.

4.6818181
9.3963963
14.0782144

Step 4. Put the bar over the digits which are on the right side in the resultant value=

Therefore 4 =

EXAMPLES

1) =?
a) 4.24
b) 3.43
c) 4.44
d) 3.96

SOLUTION :

3.96

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QA – Recurring Decimal

2) : =?
a) 3.21 22333
b) 3.40 6647
c) Can’t be determine
d) Non of these
SOLUTION =

14.5 2432124321
4242424242
3.40 66474548563
[The LCM of 5 and 2 is 10]
[In the first no. there are 5 recurring digits and in the second no. there are 2 recurring
digits]

MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISON OF RECURRING DECIMALS: Convert the decimals into

fractions
Examples

1)

SOLUTION ( )

2) ̅

SOLUTION
̅

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QA – Recurring Decimal

3) 0.2 3 100  ?
a) 0.000 23
b) 0.0023
c) 0.002 3
d) 0.0022
SOLUTION
̅

= 0.0023

4)
a) 5.723
b) 5.72 3
c) 5.632
d) 5.6 32
SOLUTION

( )

OR ALTERNATIVELY

60

46

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QA – Recurring Decimal

45

33

5
……………….

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