1.

1 Decimals, Fractions, and

Percentages

Place Value

In a number like 248.379, each digit has a particular value based on where it is located.

The number 248.379 represents (𝟐𝟐 × 100) + (𝟒𝟒 × 10) + (𝟖𝟖 × 1) + �𝟑𝟑 × � + �𝟕𝟕 × � + �𝟗𝟗 × �.
1 1 1
10 100 1000

Each of the digits of 2, 4, 8, 3, 7, and 9 is multiplied by 100, 10, 1, ,

1 1 1
10 100 1000
, and based on its
location.

Rounding

When rounding a number to a given place, identify the digit one position to the right. If this digit is 5
or greater, we round up. Otherwise, discard all digits to the right of the given place, leaving the digit
in the given place at its current value.

Example 1:
Round 248.379 to the hundredths place.

Solution:
In the number 248.379, the digit in the hundredths place is 7. The digit to the right is 9. Therefore,
we round up. The number rounded to the hundredths place is 248.38.

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 Example 2:
Round 0.05326 to the thousandths place.

Solution:
In the number 0.05326, the digit in the thousandths place is 3. The digit to the right is 2.
Therefore, we discard all digits to the right of 3, leaving 3 at its current value. The number
rounded to the thousandths place is 0.053.

Example 3:
Round 19.52 to the ones place.

Solution:
In the number 19.52, the digit in the ones place is 9. The digit to the right is 5. Therefore, we
round up, which carries a 1 to the tens place. The number rounded to the ones place is 20.

When rounding, sometimes the number of digits to the right of the decimal point is stated instead of
a place such as hundredths or thousandths. For example, instead of saying “round to the ten-
thousandths place” we may say “round to 4 decimal places.”

Decimals

The digits to the right of a decimal point represent parts of a whole. Consider the number 0.7. The
digit 7 in the tenths position indicates that there are 7 parts out of 10.

The number 0.7 is an exact value. Decimals are often used to approximate a value. For example, the
number √2 is 1.41421356237…, continuing infinitely as a sequence of digits. We may approximate
√2 by rounding to an appropriate place. Often, √2 is approximated as √2 ≈ 1.41. Decimals may also
have repeating digits. For example, when we write 0.6666�, this indicates that the digit 6 repeats
indefinitely. One way to approximate this number is by 0.67.

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Fractions

The digits to the right of a decimal point represent parts of a whole. Similarly, a fraction represents
parts of a whole. The bottom number in a fraction, called the denominator, denotes the number of
parts into which a whole unit is divided. The top number, called the numerator, denotes the
3
8
number of parts of the whole that are given. The fraction indicates that there are 3 parts given out
of 8.

Converting a Fraction to a Decimal

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. Sometimes, a

calculator may be necessary.

Example 4:
Convert each fraction to a decimal. Round to four decimal places wherever necessary.

6 392 18
7 200 14
a) b) c)

Solution:
We use a calculator to divide each numerator by its denominator.

6
7
a) is approximately equal to 0.8571.

392
200
b) equals 1.96.

18
14
c) is approximately equal to 1.2857.

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Converting a Decimal to a Fraction

To convert a decimal to a fraction, write all digits over the place value indicated by the rightmost
digit.

Example 5:
Convert each decimal to a fraction.
a) 0.69 b) 0.027 c) 1.3

Solution:
69
a) The rightmost digit is in the hundredths place. The fractional equivalent of 0.69 is
100
.
27
b) The rightmost digit is in the thousandths place. The fractional equivalent of 0.027 is
1000
.

13
10
c) The rightmost digit is in the tenths place. The fractional equivalent of 1.3 is .

Percentages

The word percent means per one hundred. When we write 73%, this indicates that there are 73 parts
73
100
out of 100, which may also be represented as a decimal (0.73) or as a fraction .

To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100, which is the same as moving the decimal right
two places, and insert the percent sign next to the number.

Example 6:
Write 0.997 as a percentage.

Solution:
We move the decimal right two places and insert the percent sign. The quantity 0.997 is equivalent
to 99.7%.

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To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100, which is the same as moving the decimal left
two places, and discard the percent sign.

Example 7:
Write 4.26% as a decimal.

Solution:
We move the decimal left two places and discard the percent sign. The quantity 4.26% is
equivalent to 0.0426.

Probability Versus Chances

The words chances and probability are closely related and are often used interchangeably. The word
chances is more commonly used in informal situations whereas a probability is usually the result of
some type of calculation. Although both probabilities and chances can be expressed as either
decimals or as percentages, it is somewhat more common to use decimals with probabilities and to
use percentages with chances.

Example 8:
Gabriel is given a multiple-choice question with four answer choices. Only one choice is the
correct answer. If Gabriel guesses at an answer, the probability that he guesses correctly is 0.25.
Express the chances that Gabriel guesses the correct answer as a percentage.

Solution:
The probability of guessing a correct answer is 0.25. Gabriel’s chances of guessing the correct
answer are 25%.

Example 9:
Given two six-sided dice, the chances of rolling “doubles” are approximately 16.7%. Express the
probability of rolling doubles as a decimal.

Solution:
The chances of rolling doubles are approximately 16.7%. The probability of rolling doubles is
approximately 0.167.

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Practice Problems

1. Round 78.4265 to the hundredths place.

2. Round 12.51 to the tenths place.

3. Round 127.963 to the ones place.

4. Convert each fraction to a decimal. State whether the decimal is exact or an approximation.
If it is an approximation, round to the thousandths place.

13 125
8 110
a) b)

1 95
20 13
c) d)

5. Convert each decimal to a fraction.

a) 0.341 b) 2.63

c) 4.7 d) 0.97

6. Write each decimal as a percentage.

a) 0.05 b) 0.076

c) 0.90 d) 0.0032

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 7. In a standard deck of 52 playing cards, the chances of randomly drawing a spade is 2.3%.
Express the probability of drawing a spade as a decimal.

8. Greg is given a true/false question on an exam. If Greg guesses at an answer, the probability
that he guesses correctly is 0.5. Express the chances that Greg guesses the correct answer as a
percentage.

9. According to one source, the chances that an American adult makes one or more New Year’s
resolutions is between 40% and 45%. Rewrite this statement using probabilities written as
decimals.

10. It is reported that on the game show The Price is Right, a studio audience member has a
probability of 0.027 of being called to play the game. Rewrite this statement using chances
written as percentages.

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