5.3 Decimals and Fractions
The topics covered in this section are:
- Convert fractions to decimals
- Order decimals and fractions
- Simplify expressions using the order of operations
- Find the circumference and area of circles
5.3.1 Convert Fractions to Decimals
In Decimals, we learned to convert decimals to fractions. Now we will do the reverse—convert fractions to decimals. Remember that the fraction bar indicates division. So $\frac{4}{5}$ can be written $4 \div 5$ or 5)4. This means that we can convert a fraction to a decimal by treating it as a division problem.
CONVERT A FRACTION TO A DECIMAL
To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator of the fraction by the denominator of the fraction.
Example 1
Write the fraction $\frac{3}{4}$ as a decimal.
Solution
A fraction bar means division, so we can write the fraction $\frac{3}{4}$ using division. | |
Divide. | |
So the fraction $\frac{3}{4}$ is equal to $0.75$. |
Example 2
Write the fraction $- \frac{7}{2}$ as a decimal.
Solution
The value of this fraction is negative. After dividing, the value of the decimal will be negative. We do the division ignoring the sign, and then write the negative sign in the answer. | $- \frac{7}{2}$ |
Divide $7$ by $2$. | |
So, $- \frac{7}{2} = -3.5$. |
Repeating Decimals
So far, in all the examples converting fractions to decimals the division resulted in a remainder of zero. This is not always the case. Let’s see what happens when we convert the fraction $\frac{4}{3}$ to a decimal. First, notice that $\frac{4}{3}$ is an improper fraction. Its value is greater than $1$. The equivalent decimal will also be greater than $1$.
We divide $4$ by $3$.
No matter how many more zeros we write, there will always be a remainder of $1$, and the threes in the quotient will go on forever. The number $1.333…$ is called a repeating decimal. Remember that the “$…$” means that the pattern repeats.
REPEATING DECIMAL
A repeating decimal is a decimal in which the last digit or group of digits repeats endlessly.
How do you know how many ‘repeats’ to write? Instead of writing $1.333…$ we use a shorthand notation by placing a line over the digits that repeat. The repeating decimal $1.333…$ is written $1. \stackrel{-}{3}$. The line above the $3$ tells you that the $3$ repeats endlessly. So $1.333… = 1.\stackrel{-}{3} $.
For other decimals, two or more digits might repeat. The table below shows some more examples of repeating decimals.
$1.333…=1. \stackrel{-}{3}$ | $3$ is the repeating digit |
$4.1666…=4. \stackrel{-}{6}$ | $6$ is the repeating digit |
$4.161616…=4. \stackrel{—–}{16}$ | $16$ is the repeating block |
$0.271271271…=0. \stackrel{——}{271}$ | $271$ is the repeating block |
Example 3
Write $\frac{43}{22}$ as a decimal.
Solution
Divide $43$ by $22$.
Notice that the differences of $120$ and $100$ repeat, so there is a repeat in the digits of the quotient; $54$ will repeat endlessly. The first decimal place in the quotient, $9$, is not part of the pattern. So,
$\frac{43}{22} = 1.9 \stackrel{—–}{54}$
It is useful to convert between fractions and decimals when we need to add or subtract numbers in different forms. To add a fraction and a decimal, for example, we would need to either convert the fraction to a decimal or the decimal to a fraction.
Example 4
Simplify: $\frac{7}{8} + 6.4$.
Solution
$\frac{7}{8} + 6.4$ | ||
Change $\frac{7}{8}$ to a decimal. | $0.875+6.4$ | |
Add. | $7.275$ |
5.3.2 Order Decimals and Fractions
In Decimals, we compared two decimals and determined which was larger. To compare a decimal to a fraction, we will first convert the fraction to a decimal and then compare the decimals.
Example 5
Order $\frac{3}{8}$ ____ $0.4$ using $<$ or $>$.
Solution
$\frac{3}{8}$ ____ $0.4$ | |
Convert $\frac{3}{8}$ to a decimal | $0.375$ ____ $0.4$ |
Compare $0.375$ to $0.4$ | $0.375 < 0.4$ |
Rewrite with the original fraction. | $\frac{3}{8} < 0.4$ |
When ordering negative numbers, remember that larger numbers are to the right on the number line and any positive number is greater than any negative number.
Example 6
Order $-0.5$ ____ $- \frac{3}{4}$ using $<$ or $>$.
Solution
$-0.5$ ____ $- \frac{3}{4}$ | |
Convert $- \frac{3}{4}$ to a decimal | $-0.5$ ____ $-0.75$ |
Compare $-0.5$ to $-0.75$. | $-0.5 > -0.75$ |
Rewrite the inequality with the original fraction. | $-0.5 > – \frac{3}{4}$ |
Example 7
Write the numbers $\frac{13}{20} , 0.61, \frac{11}{16}$ in order from smallest to largest.
Solution
$\frac{13}{20} , 0.61, \frac{11}{16}$ | |
Convert the fractions to decimals. | $0.65, 0.61, 0.6875$ |
Write the smallest decimal number first. | $0.61$, _____, _____ |
Write the next larger decimal number in the middle place. | $0.61, 0.65$, _____ |
Write the last decimal number (the larger) in the third place. | $0.61, 0.65, 0.6875$ |
Rewrite the list with the original fractions. | $0.61, \frac{13}{20} , \frac{11}{16}$ |
5.3.3 Simplify Expressions Using the Order of Operations
The order of operations introduced in Use the Language of Algebra also applies to decimals. Do you remember what the phrase “Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally” stands for?
Example 8
Simplify the expressions:
- $7(18.3-21.7)$
- $\frac{2}{3} (8.3-3.8)$
Solution
Part 1. | |
$7(18.3-21.7)$ | |
Simplify inside parentheses. | $7(-3.4)$ |
Multiply. | $-23.8$ |
Part 2. | |
$\frac{2}{3} (8.3-3.8)$ | |
Simplify inside parentheses. | $\frac{2}{3} (4.5)$ |
Write $4.5$ as a fraction. | $\frac{2}{3} ( \frac{4.5}{1} )$ |
Multiply. | $\frac{9}{3}$ |
Simplify. | $3$ |
Example 8
Simplify the expressions:
- $6 \div 0.6 + (0.2)4-(0.1)^{2}$
- $( \frac{1}{10} )^{2} + (3.5)(0.9)$
Solution
Part 1. | |
$6 \div 0.6 + (0.2)4 – (0.1)^{2}$ | |
Simplify exponents. | $6 \div 0.6 + (0.2)4 – 0.01$ |
Divide. | $10 + (0.2)4 – 0.01$ |
Multiply. | $10 + 0.8 – 0.01$ |
Add. | $10.8 – 0.01$ |
Subtract. | $10.79$ |
Part 2. | |
$( \frac{1}{10} )^{2} + (3.5)(0.9)$ | |
Simplify exponents. | $\frac{1}{100} + (3.5)(0.9)$ |
Multiply. | $\frac{1}{100} + 3.15$ |
Convert $\frac{1}{100}$ to a decimal. | $0.01 + 3.15$ |
Add. | $3.16$ |
5.3.4 Find the Circumference and Area of Circles
The properties of circles have been studied for over $2,000$ years. All circles have exactly the same shape, but their sizes are affected by the length of the radius, a line segment from the center to any point on the circle. A line segment that passes through a circle’s center connecting two points on the circle is called a diameter. The diameter is twice as long as the radius. See the figure below.
The size of a circle can be measured in two ways. The distance around a circle is called its circumference.
Archimedes discovered that for circles of all different sizes, dividing the circumference by the diameter always gives the same number. The value of this number is pi, symbolized by Greek letter $\pi$ (pronounced pie). However, the exact value of $\pi$ cannot be calculated since the decimal never ends or repeats (we will learn more about numbers like this in The Properties of Real Numbers.)
If we want the exact circumference or area of a circle, we leave the symbol $\pi$ in the answer. We can get an approximate answer by substituting $3.14$ as the value of $\pi$. We use the symbol $\approx$ to show that the result is approximate, not exact.
PROPERTIES OF CIRCLES
$r$ is the length of the radius.
$d$ is the length of the diameter.
The circumference is $2 \pi r$. | $C=2 \pi r$ |
The area is $\pi r^{2}$ | $A= \pi r^{2}$ |
Since the diameter is twice the radius, another way to find the circumference is to use the formula $C=2 \pi r$.
Suppose we want to find the exact area of a circle of radius $10$ inches. To calculate the area, we would evaluate the formula for the area when $r=10$ inches and leave the answer in terms of $\pi$.
$A= \pi r^{2}$
$A= \pi (10^{2})$
$A= \pi \cdot 100$
We write $\pi$ after the $100$. So the exact value of the area is $A=100 \pi$ square inches.
To approximate the area, we would substitute $\pi \approx 3.14$.
$A = 100 \pi$
$\approx 100 \cdot 3.14$
$\approx 314$ square inches
Remember to use square units, such as square inches, when you calculate the area.
Example 9
A circle has radius $10$ centimeters. Approximate its…
- circumference
- area
Solution
Part 1. Find the circumference when $r=10$. | |
Write the formula for circumference. | $C=2 \pi r$ |
Substitute $3.14$ for $\pi$ and $10$ for $r$. | $C \approx 2(3.14)(10)$ |
Multiply. | $C \approx 62.8$ centimeters |
Part b. Find the area when $r=10$. | |
Write the formula for area. | $A= \pi r^{2}$ |
Substitute $3.14$ for $\pi$ and $10$ for $r$. | $A \approx (3.14)(10)^{2}$ |
Multiply. | $A \approx 314$ square centimeters |
Example 10
A circle has radius $42.5$ centimeters. Approximate its…
- circumference
- area
Solution
Part 1. Find the circumference when $r=42.5$. | |
Write the formula for circumference. | $C=2 \pi r$ |
Substitute $3.14$ for $\pi$ and $42.5$ for $r$. | $C \approx 2(3.14)(42.5)$ |
Multiply. | $C \approx 266.9$ centimeters |
Part b. Find the area when $r=42.5$. | |
Write the formula for area. | $A= \pi r^{2}$ |
Substitute $3.14$ for $\pi$ and $42.5$ for $r$. | $A \approx (3.14)(42.5)^{2}$ |
Multiply. | $A \approx 5671.625$ square centimeters |
Approximate $\pi$ with a Fraction
Convert the fraction $\frac{22}{7}$ to a decimal. If you use your calculator, the decimal number will fill up the display and show $3.14285714$. But if we round that number to two decimal places, we get $3.14$, the decimal approximation of $\pi$π. When we have a circle with radius given as a fraction, we can substitute $\frac{22}{7}$ for $\pi$ instead of $3.14$. And, since $\frac{22}{7}$ is also an approximation of $\pi$, we will use the $\approx$ symbol to show we have an approximate value.
Example 11
A circle has radius $\frac{14}{15}$ meter. Approximate its…
- circumference
- area
Solution
Part 1. Find the circumference when $r= \frac{14}{15}$. | |
Write the formula for circumference. | $C=2 \pi r$ |
Substitute $\frac{22}{7}$ for $\pi$ and $\frac{14}{15}$ for $r$. | $C \approx 2( \frac{22}{7} )( \frac{14}{15} )$ |
Multiply. | $C \approx \frac{88}{15}$ meters |
Part b. Find the area when $r= \frac{14}{15} $. | |
Write the formula for area. | $A= \pi r^{2}$ |
Substitute $ \frac{22}{7} $ for $\pi$ and $\frac{14}{15}$ for $r$. | $A \approx ( \frac{22}{7} )( \frac{14}{15})^{2}$ |
Multiply. | $A \approx \frac{616}{225}$ square meters |
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CC Licensed Content, Original
- Revision and Adaptation. Provided by: Minute Math. License: CC BY 4.0
CC Licensed Content, Shared Previously
- Marecek, L., Anthony-Smith, M., & Mathis, A. H. (2020). Use the Language of Algebra. In Prealgebra 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-3-decimals-and-fractions. License: CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/1-introduction