A fraction is a mathematical representation of a part of a whole, expressed as a ratio of two numbers: a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number). Fractions can represent values between integers and are commonly used to describe parts, proportions, or divisions.
A decimal, on the other hand, is a number that includes a decimal point to indicate a fraction of a whole number. It is a way of expressing fractions in base-10 notation. Decimals are used to represent real numbers in a more precise manner and are commonly used in calculations involving measurements, money, and scientific values.
To convert a fraction to a decimal, you can use division or a calculator. Here’s the step-by-step process using division:
Let’s say you have a fraction like 3/4 and you want to convert it to a decimal.
Example: Convert 3/4 to a decimal.
Solution: 0.75
——-
4 | 3.00
– 0
—–
30
– 28
—–
20
– 20
—–
0
The result is 0.75.
Most calculators have a division function that allows you to directly convert fractions to decimals. You can simply enter the fraction (numerator divided by denominator) and obtain the decimal result.
Example: Convert 5/8 to a decimal using a calculator
Ans. 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625
| Fraction | Decimal |
| 1/2 | 0.5 |
| 1/3 | 0.33333333 |
| 2/3 | 0.66666667 |
| 1/4 | 0.25 |
| 2/4 | 0.5 |
| 3/4 | 0.75 |
| 1/5 | 0.2 |
| 2/5 | 0.4 |
| 3/5 | 0.6 |
| 4/5 | 0.8 |
| 1/6 | 0.16666667 |
| 2/6 | 0.33333333 |
| 3/6 | 0.5 |
| 4/6 | 0.66666667 |
| 5/6 | 0.83333333 |
| 1/7 | 0.14285714 |
| 2/7 | 0.28571429 |
| 3/7 | 0.42857143 |
| 4/7 | 0.57142858 |
| 5/7 | 0.71428571 |
| 6/7 | 0.85714286 |
| 1/8 | 0.125 |
| 2/8 | 0.25 |
| 3/8 | 0.375 |
| 4/8 | 0.5 |
| 5/8 | 0.625 |
| 6/8 | 0.75 |
| 7/8 | 0.875 |
| 1/9 | 0.11111111 |
| 2/9 | 0.22222222 |
| 3/9 | 0.33333333 |
| 4/9 | 0.44444444 |
| 5/9 | 0.55555556 |
| 6/9 | 0.66666667 |
| 7/9 | 0.77777778 |
| 8/9 | 0.88888889 |
| 1/10 | 0.1 |
| 2/10 | 0.2 |
| 3/10 | 0.3 |
| 4/10 | 0.4 |
| 5/10 | 0.5 |
| 6/10 | 0.6 |
| 7/10 | 0.7 |
| 8/10 | 0.8 |
| 9/10 | 0.9 |
| 1/11 | 0.09090909 |
| 2/11 | 0.18181818 |
| 3/11 | 0.27272727 |
| 4/11 | 0.36363636 |
| 5/11 | 0.45454545 |
| 6/11 | 0.54545454 |
| 7/11 | 0.63636363 |
| 8/11 | 0.72727272 |
| 9/11 | 0.81818181 |
| 10/11 | 0.90909091 |
To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator (the top number) by the denominator (the bottom number) using division. The result of the division will give you the decimal equivalent of the fraction.
The decimal equivalent of 3/5 is 0.6. To get this, divide 3 by 5: 3 ÷ 5 = 0.6.
The decimal equivalent of 3/4 is 0.75. To get this, divide 3 by 4: 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.
The decimal equivalent of 6 1/4 is 6.25. To get this, add 6 to the fraction's decimal equivalent. For the fraction 1/4, divide 1 by 4: 1 ÷ 4 = 0.25. Then, add 6 to 0.25 to get 6.25.
The decimal equivalent of 2/7 is approximately 0.2857. To get this, divide 2 by 7 using long division or a calculator. The result is a recurring decimal: 0.2857.