184 Speed Math for Kids
CHANGING COMMON FRACTIONS TO DECIMALS
Th e fractions we have been dealing with are called common fractions
(or vulgar fractions). To change a common fraction to a decimal is
easy; you simply divide the numerator by the denominator (the top
number is divided by the bottom number).
To change ½ to a decimal, you divide 1 by 2. Two won’t divide into
1, so the answer is 0 and we carry the 1 to make 10. Th e decimal in
the answer goes below the decimal in the number we are dividing.
Two divides into 10 exactly 5 times.
Th e calculation looks like this:
0.5
2 1.000
Here’s another: one-eighth (⅛ ) is 1 divided by 8. One divided by 8
equals 0.125.
Th at is all there is to it. Try a few more yourself.
cc18.indd Sec1:184 18 .indd Sec 1 : 184 1/9/07 8:40:37 AM 1 / 9 / 07 8 : 40 : 37 AM
brent
(Brent)
#1