5.4: Decimals and Fractions
- Page ID
- 114911
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- Convert fractions to decimals
- Order decimals and fractions
- Simplify expressions using the order of operations
- Find the circumference and area of circles
Be Prepared 5.7
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Divide:
If you missed this problem, review Example 5.19.
Be Prepared 5.8
Order using or
If you missed this problem, review Example 5.7.
Be Prepared 5.9
Order using or
If you missed this problem, review Example 5.8.
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 can be written or 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 5.28
Write the fraction as a decimal.
- Answer
A fraction bar means division, so we can write the fraction using division. Divide. So the fraction is equal to
Try It 5.55
Write the fraction as a decimal:
Try It 5.56
Write the fraction as a decimal:
Example 5.29
Write the fraction as a decimal.
- Answer
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. Divide by So,
Try It 5.57
Write the fraction as a decimal:
Try It 5.58
Write the fraction as a decimal:
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 to a decimal. First, notice that is an improper fraction. Its value is greater than The equivalent decimal will also be greater than
We divide by
No matter how many more zeros we write, there will always be a remainder of and the threes in the quotient will go on forever. The number 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 we use a shorthand notation by placing a line over the digits that repeat. The repeating decimal is written The line above the tells you that the repeats endlessly. So
For other decimals, two or more digits might repeat. Table 5.5 shows some more examples of repeating decimals.
is the repeating digit | |
is the repeating digit | |
is the repeating block | |
is the repeating block |
Example 5.30
Write as a decimal.
- Answer
Divide by
Notice that the differences of and repeat, so there is a repeat in the digits of the quotient; will repeat endlessly. The first decimal place in the quotient, is not part of the pattern. So,
Try It 5.59
Write as a decimal:
Try It 5.60
Write as a decimal:
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 5.31
Simplify:
- Answer
Change to a decimal. Add.
Try It 5.61
Simplify:
Try It 5.62
Simplify:
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 5.32
Order using or
- Answer
Convert to a decimal. Compare to Rewrite with the original fraction.
Try It 5.63
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
Try It 5.64
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
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 5.33
Order using or
- Answer
Convert to a decimal. Compare to . Rewrite the inequality with the original fraction.
Try It 5.65
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
Try It 5.66
Order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
Example 5.34
Write the numbers in order from smallest to largest.
- Answer
Convert the fractions to decimals. Write the smallest decimal number first. Write the next larger decimal number in the middle place. Write the last decimal number (the larger) in the third place. Rewrite the list with the original fractions.
Try It 5.67
Write each set of numbers in order from smallest to largest:
Try It 5.68
Write each set of numbers in order from smallest to largest:
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 5.35
Simplify the expressions:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- Answer
ⓐ Simplify inside parentheses. Multiply. ⓑ Simplify inside parentheses. Write as a fraction. Multiply. Simplify.
Try It 5.69
Simplify: ⓐ ⓑ
Try It 5.70
Simplify: ⓐ ⓑ
Example 5.36
Simplify each expression:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- Answer
ⓐ Simplify exponents. Divide. Multiply. Add. Subtract. ⓑ Simplify exponents. Multiply. Convert to a decimal. Add.
Try It 5.71
Simplify:
Try It 5.72
Simplify:
Find the Circumference and Area of Circles
The properties of circles have been studied for over
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
Manipulative Mathematics
Doing the Manipulative Mathematics activity Pi Lab will help you develop a better understanding of pi.
If we want the exact circumference or area of a circle, we leave the symbol in the answer. We can get an approximate answer by substituting as the value of We use the symbol to show that the result is approximate, not exact.
Properties of Circles
Since the diameter is twice the radius, another way to find the circumference is to use the formula
Suppose we want to find the exact area of a circle of radius inches. To calculate the area, we would evaluate the formula for the area when inches and leave the answer in terms of
We write after the So the exact value of the area is square inches.
To approximate the area, we would substitute
Remember to use square units, such as square inches, when you calculate the area.
Example 5.37
A circle has radius centimeters. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
- Answer
ⓐ Find the circumference when Write the formula for circumference. Substitute 3.14 for and 10 for ,. Multiply. ⓑ Find the area when Write the formula for area. Substitute 3.14 for and 10 for . Multiply.
Try It 5.73
A circle has radius inches. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Try It 5.74
A circle has radius feet. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Example 5.38
A circle has radius centimeters. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
- Answer
ⓐ Find the circumference when Write the formula for circumference. Substitute 3.14 for and 42.5 for Multiply. ⓑ Find the area when . Write the formula for area. Substitute 3.14 for and 42.5 for . Multiply.
Try It 5.75
A circle has radius centimeters. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Try It 5.76
A circle has radius meters. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Approximate with a Fraction
Convert the fraction to a decimal. If you use your calculator, the decimal number will fill up the display and show But if we round that number to two decimal places, we get the decimal approximation of When we have a circle with radius given as a fraction, we can substitute for instead of And, since is also an approximation of we will use the symbol to show we have an approximate value.
Example 5.39
A circle has radius meter. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
- Answer
ⓐ Find the circumference when Write the formula for circumference. Substitute for and for . Multiply. ⓑ Find the area when Write the formula for area. Substitute for and for . Multiply.
Try It 5.77
A circle has radius meters. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Try It 5.78
A circle has radius inches. Approximate its ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area.
Media
Section 5.3 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Convert Fractions to Decimals
In the following exercises, convert each fraction to a decimal.
In the following exercises, simplify the expression.
Order Decimals and Fractions
In the following exercises, order each pair of numbers, using or
In the following exercises, write each set of numbers in order from least to greatest.
Simplify Expressions Using the Order of Operations
In the following exercises, simplify.
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, simplify. Give the answer as a decimal.
Find the Circumference and Area of Circles
In the following exercises, approximate the ⓐ circumference and ⓑ area of each circle. If measurements are given in fractions, leave answers in fraction form.
Everyday Math
Kelly wants to buy a pair of boots that are on sale for of the original price. The original price of the boots is What is the sale price of the shoes?
An architect is planning to put a circular mosaic in the entry of a new building. The mosaic will be in the shape of a circle with radius of feet. How many square feet of tile will be needed for the mosaic? (Round your answer up to the next whole number.)
Writing Exercises
Is it easier for you to convert a decimal to a fraction or a fraction to a decimal? Explain.
Describe a situation in your life in which you might need to find the area or circumference of a circle.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?