FRACTION TO DECIMAL CONVERSIONS

Concept: Decimals, fractions, and percents can be used to show part of a whole. Sometimes it is easier to calculate using fractions. At other times, decimals are more useful. Still other times it is better to use percents. It is helpful to know how to convert back and forth. To convert a fraction into a decimal number, follow these four simple steps.

Steps for Converting Fractions into Decimal Numbers

Step 1 | To convert a fraction into a decimal number, divide the numerator by the denominator. Write the fraction as a long division problem.
Step 2 | Set the decimal point in the quotient (answer) directly above the decimal point in the dividend.
Step 3 | Divide as usual until the remainder is zero, or until you reach the desired number of decimal places.
Step 4 | Since some fractions have decimal equivalents that contain a digit or group of digits that repeats, you may either ROUND REPEATING DECIMALS to a certain decimal place, OR express the remainder as a fraction.

Example 1 Convert the fraction into a decimal number:

Step 1 | To convert a fraction into a decimal number, divide the numerator by the denominator. Write the fraction as a long division problem. | 216
Step 2 | Set the decimal point in the quotient (answer) directly above the decimal point in the dividend. | 0. 216
Step 3 | Divide as usual until the remainder is zero, or until you reach the desired number of decimal places. | 0000
Step 4 | Since some fractions have decimal equivalents that contain a digit or group of digits that repeats, you may either ROUND REPEATING DECIMALS to a certain decimal place, OR express the remainder as a fraction. | Not applicable!
The fraction equals the decimal number 0.75

Example 2 Convert the fraction into a decimal number:

Step 1 | To convert a fraction into a decimal number, divide the numerator by the denominator. Write the fraction as a long division problem. | 9
Step 2 | Set the decimal point in the quotient (answer) directly above the decimal point in the dividend. | 0 9
Step 3 | Divide as usual until the remainder is zero (which does not occur in this problem), or until you reach the desired number of decimal places. | 0.222
Step 4 | Since some fractions have decimal equivalents that contain a digit or group of digits that repeats, you may either round repeating digits to a certain decimal place, OR express the remainder as a fraction. | 0.220 0.22 OR
The fraction equals the decimal 0.222 or 0.22