The fraction 11/20 translates to 0.55 in decimal form. To convert a fraction to a decimal, simply divide the fraction's bottom number, or denominator, into its top number, or numerator.
Fractions and decimals both are ways to represent numbers that are not whole numbers. Each fraction has an equivalent decimal representation, and every decimal can be converted into an equivalent fraction. To do this, one simply has to utilize common division.
Dividing the denominator into the numerator results in the equivalent fraction. Quite often, the answer continues for infinity. If this is the case, one simply has to choose a decimal place and round it off. For example, the fraction 2/3 is equivalent to 0.6666666 for infinity. An acceptable decimal for this answer rounded to the nearest hundredth is 0.67.
To change decimals into fractions, the steps are somewhat similar, yet reversed.
- A person should Look at the decimal and determine what place it holds. For example, 0.625 is to the 1,000th decimal place.
- Next, a person should place the decimal over one and then multiply by that decimal place number. The calculation for this example is 0.625/1 times 1,000/1,000.
- Finally, a person should multiply the numbers across and reduce to find the final answer. This example results in 625/1,000. Reduced, the final answer is 5/8.
To double-check the answer, a person should use the reverse method of dividing the denominator into the numerator.
