Convert Fractions to Decimals

Step 1: Looking at the bottom number (the denominator) figure out what to multiply it by to make it a power of 10 (that means 10 or 100 or 1000 or any 1 followed by 0s)

Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by this

Step 3. Then write down just the top number (the numerator), putting the decimal place in the correct spot (one space from the right for every zero in the denominator)

Example 1: Express 3/4 as a Decimal

Step 1: We can multiply 4 by 25 to become 100

Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by 25:

Step 3: Write down 75 with the decimal place 2 spaces from the right (because 100 has 2 zeros);

Answer = 0.75

Example 2: Express 3/16 as a Decimal

Step 1: We have to multiply 16 by 625 to become 10,000

Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by 625:

Step 3: Write down 1875 with the decimal place 4 spaces from the right (because 10,000 has 4 zeros);

Answer = 0.1875

Example 2: Express 1/3 as a Decimal

Step 1: There is no way to multiply 3 to become 10 or 100 or any power of 10 - but we can calculate an approximate decimal by choosing to multiply by, say, 333

Step 2: Multiply top and bottom by 333:

Step 3: Now, 999 is nearly 1,000, so let us write down 333 with the decimal place 3 spaces from the right (because 1,000 has 3 zeros):

Answer = 0.333 (accurate to only 3 decimal)