DECIMAL TO FRACTION 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 decimal number into a fraction, follow these three simple steps.

Steps for Converting Decimal Numbers into Fractions

Step 1 | Write the decimal number without the decimal point as the numerator of the fraction.
Step 2 | Write the place value for the last decimal digit as the denominator.
Step 3 | Reduce the fraction to lowest terms.

Helpful Hint:
Count the number of decimal places in the decimal number you are converting to find the number of zeros you need in the denominator of a fraction.
For example:
3 decimal places 3 zeros

Example 1 Change 0.375 into a fraction.

Step 1 | Write the number without the decimal point as the numerator of the fraction. |
Step 2 | Write the place value for the last decimal digit as the denominator. |
Step 3 | Reduce the fraction to lowest terms. (This can be done in a single step, as shown here, or in multiple steps using smaller divisors.) |
The decimal 0.375 is equal to the fraction.

Example 2 Change 0.125 into a fraction.

Step 1 | Write the number without the decimal point as the numerator of the fraction. |
Step 2 | Write the place value for the last decimal digit as the denominator. |
Step 3 | Reduce the fraction to lowest terms. (This can be done in a single step, as shown here, or in multiple steps using smaller divisors.) |
The decimal 0.125 is equal to the fraction.