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How Do You Turn a Fraction Into a Terminating Decimal?

Convert the following fraction into a decimal.

Summary

  1. A fraction bar means the same thing as division
  2. We can write the numerator, 3, as the dividend
  3. We can write the denominator, 8, as the divisor
  4. The dividend, 3, goes under the division symbol
  5. The divisor, 8, goes on the outside of the division symbol
  6. Since we end up with no remainder, we have a terminating decimal

Notes

    1. We can write the numerator, 3, as the dividend
    2. We can write the denominator, 8, as the divisor
    1. Any fraction can be written as a division problem by turning the numerator into the dividend and the denominator into the divisor
    2. In our problem, 3 becomes the dividend
    3. That means 8 becomes the divisor
    1. 3, the dividend, goes under the division symbol
    2. 8, the divisor, goes outside the division symbol
    1. The extra zero that we add on is called a trailing zero
    2. This will give us a bigger number to work with so we can divide
    1. 8 goes evenly into 40, so we don't have a remainder left
    2. Since we don't have a remainder, we found a terminating decimal!
    1. Since our decimal ends without going on forever, it is a terminating decimal