Name DateWORKSHEET 2.5: EXPRESSING RATIONAL NUMBERS
AS DECIMALS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A fraction is a rational number. Follow the steps below to express fractions as decimals:- For positive fractions, divide the numerator by the denominator. Add a decimal point
and a zero after the numerator. Add more zeros if necessary. Keep dividing until the
remainder is zero or until a number or group of numbers repeats in the quotient.- A remainder of zero results in a terminating decimal.
- A decimal in which a number or group of numbers repeats is called a ‘‘nontermi-
nating decimal.’’ The repeating number or numbers are known as a ‘‘repetend’’ and
must be written with a bar over them.
- For negative fractions, divide the absolute value of the numerator by the absolute value
of the denominator. Then follow the procedure above. Place the negative sign in the
decimal.
EXAMPLES
Express5
8
and−5
6
as decimals.5
8 80.625 0.625
5.0005
8
=^5 =
6 6−0.833^5
6
= 0.83
5.000DIRECTIONS: Express each rational number as a repeating or terminating decimal.
4
25
- −
2
3
- −
1
6
- −
4
9
9
20
3
16
- −
5
12
3
7
10
11
- −
2
18
10
14
- −
3
12
CHALLENGE:How does 0.3 compare with 0.3? Explain your answer.57Copyright
©
2011 by Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.