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Maths Notes F4 Ch01 Number Systems - convert recurring decimal to fraction

The document provides a step-by-step guide on converting repeating decimals to fractions. It includes two examples: converting 0.5555555555 to 5/9 and 1.04242424242 to 1032/990. The process involves setting the repeating decimal as a variable, identifying the repeating digits, and performing algebraic manipulations to isolate the variable.

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20 views

Maths Notes F4 Ch01 Number Systems - convert recurring decimal to fraction

The document provides a step-by-step guide on converting repeating decimals to fractions. It includes two examples: converting 0.5555555555 to 5/9 and 1.04242424242 to 1032/990. The process involves setting the repeating decimal as a variable, identifying the repeating digits, and performing algebraic manipulations to isolate the variable.

Uploaded by

lumlum0422
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mathematics: Number Systems G Koo

Converting repeating decimals to fractions (rational numbers)

Source: https://www.basic-mathematics.com/converting-repeating-decimals-to-fractions.html

When converting repeating decimals to fractions, just follow the two steps below carefully.
Step 1:
Let x equal the repeating decimal you are trying to convert to a fraction

Step 2:
Examine the repeating decimal to find the repeating digit(s)

Step 3:
Place the repeating digit(s) to the left of the decimal point

Step 4:
Place the repeating digit(s) to the right of the decimal point

Step 5:
Subtract the left sides of the two equations. Then, subtract the right sides of the two equations
As you subtract, just make sure that the difference is positive for both sides
Now let's practice converting repeating decimals to fractions with two good examples

1
Mathematics: Number Systems G Koo
Example #1:
What rational number or fraction is equal to 0.55555555555

Step 1:
x = 0.5555555555

Step 2:
After examination, the repeating digit is 5

Step 3:
To place the repeating digit ( 5 ) to the left of the decimal point, you need to move the decimal point 1
place to the right

Technically, moving a decimal point one place to the right is done by multiplying the decimal number by
10.
When you multiply one side by a number, you have to multiply the other side by the same number to keep
the equation balanced
Thus, 10x = 5.555555555

Step 4:
Place the repeating digit(s) to the right of the decimal point
Look at the equation in step 1 again. In this example, the repeating digit is already to the right, so there is
nothing else to do.
x = 0.5555555555

Step 5:
Your two equations are:
10x = 5.555555555
x = 0.5555555555
10x - x = 5.555555555 − 0.555555555555
9x = 5
x = 5/9

2
Mathematics: Number Systems G Koo
Example #2:
What rational number or fraction is equal to 1.04242424242

Step 1:
x = 1.04242424242
Step 2:
After examination, the repeating digit is 42
Step 3:
To place the repeating digit ( 42 ) to the left of the decimal point, you need to move the decimal point 3
place to the right

Again, moving a decimal point three place to the right is done by multiplying the decimal number by 1000.
When you multiply one side by a number, you have to multiply the other side by the same number to keep
the equation balanced
Thus, 1000x = 1042.42424242
Step 4:
Place the repeating digit(s) to the right of the decimal point
In this example, the repeating digit is not immediately to the right of the decimal point.
Look at the equation in step 1 one more time and you will see that there is a zero between the repeating
digit and the decimal point
To accomplish this, you have to move the decimal point 1 place to the right

This is done by multiplying both sides by 10


10x = 10.4242424242
Step 5:
Your two equations are:
1000x = 1042.42424242
10x = 10.42424242
1000x - 10x = 1042.42424242 − 10.42424242
990x = 1032
x = 1032/990

3
Mathematics: Number Systems G Koo
 1
e.g. Convert 0.03 into a fraction. Ans:
30

  127
e.g. Convert 0.128 into a fraction. Ans:
990

Exercises

1. [ ]

2. [ ]

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