Convert Decimals

to Fractions

Focus 4 - Learning Goal #1: Students will know that there

are numbers that are not rational, and approximate them with
rational numbers.
3
2
1
0

4
In addition to
level 3.0 and
above and
beyond what
was taught in
class,
students
may:
-Make
connection
with other
concepts in
math.
- Make
connection
with other
content
areas.

Students will
know that there
are numbers that
are not rational,
and approximate
them with rational
numbers.
- Convert a
decimal
expansion that
repeats into a
fraction.
- Approximate the
square root of a
number to the
hundredth &
explain the
process.
- For all items
listed as a 2,
students can
explain their
process.

Students will
know the
subset of real
numbers.
- Know that all
numbers have
a decimal
expansion.
- Compare the
size of
irrational
number.
- Locate
approximately
irrational
numbers on a
number line.

With help
from the
teacher, I
have partial
success
with level 2
and 3.

Even with help,

students have
no success
with the unit
content.

Place Value Review

Tens
Ones
.
Tenths
Hundredths
Thousandths
Ten Thousandths

15 .
7456

What I already know

0.5 = 0.75 = 0.125 = 1/8
Use the place value of the last digit to determine the
denominator. Drop the decimal and use that number as the
numerator.
In the decimal 0.5 the 5 is in the tenths place so the
denominator will be 10.
The numerator will be 5. So the fraction is 5/10 which reduces
to .
In the decimal 0.75 the last digit is in the hundredths place
so the denominator will be 100.
The numerator will be 75. So the fraction is 75/100 which
reduces to .
In the decimal 0.125 the last digit is in the thousandths place
so the denominator will be 1000.
The numerator will be 125. So the fraction is 125/1000 which
reduces to

/8.

Always
REDUCE
your
fractions!

Convert the following terminating

decimals to fractions.
1. 0.4
1. 4/10
2. Reduces to 2/5

2. 1.86
1. 1 and 86/100
2. Reduces to 1

43

/50

3. 0.795
1. 795/1000
2. Reduces to

159

/200

What about nonterminating decimals?

How do you convert
0.1111111111.to a
fraction?
We are told that
repeating decimals are
rational numbers.
However, to be a
rational number it must
be able to be written as
a fraction of a/b.

Steps to change a nonterminating decimal to a fraction:

Convert 0.111111111 to a fraction
How many digits are repeating?
1 digit repeats

Place the repeating digit over that many 9s.

/9

Reduce, if possible.
This means that the fraction 1/9
is equal to 0.111111
With your calculator, divide 1 by 9.
What do you get?

Try the steps

again:
Convert 0.135135135 to a fraction.
How may digits are repeating?
3 digits repeat.

Place the repeating digits over that many

9s.

/999

135

Reduce if possible.
This means that the fraction 135/999 which
reduces to 5/37 is equal to 0.135135135
With your calculator, divide 135 by 999.
What do you get?
Divide 5 by 37. What do you get?

One more time together:

Convert 4.78787878 to a fraction.
How many digits are repeating.
2 digits repeat.

Place the repeating digits over that many 9s.

78

/99

Reduce if possible.
Divide the numerator and denominator by 3.

This means that the fraction 4 78/99 reduces to

4 26/33 is equal to 4.7878
With your calculator, divide 78 by 99.
What do you get?
Divide 26 by 33. What do you get?

Your turn.
Change the following repeating
decimals to fractions.

1. 0.4444444
1. 4/9

2. 1.54545454.
1.

154

/99 = 1

/99

54

3. 0.36363636
1.

/99 = 4/11

36