5.3 Decimals and Fractions

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 $\frac{4}{5}$ can be written $4÷5$ or $5\overline{)4}.$ This means that we can convert a fraction to a decimal by treating it as a division problem.

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 $\frac{4}{3}$ to a decimal. First, notice that $\frac{4}{3}$ is an improper fraction. Its value is greater than $1.$ The equivalent decimal will also be greater than $1.$

We divide $4$ by $3.$

No matter how many more zeros we write, there will always be a remainder of $1,$ and the threes in the quotient will go on forever. The number $\text{1.333…}$ is called a repeating decimal. Remember that the “…” means that the pattern repeats.

How do you know how many ‘repeats’ to write? Instead of writing $1.333\dots$ we use a shorthand notation by placing a line over the digits that repeat. The repeating decimal $1.333\dots$ is written $1.\stackrel{-}{3}.$ The line above the $3$ tells you that the $3$ repeats endlessly. So $\text{1.333…}=1.\stackrel{-}{3}$

For other decimals, two or more digits might repeat. Table 5.5 shows some more examples of repeating decimals.

Table 5.5

$\text{1.333…}=1.\stackrel{-}{3}$	$3$ is the repeating digit
$\text{4.1666…}=4.1\stackrel{-}{6}$	$6$ is the repeating digit
$\text{4.161616…}=4.\stackrel{\text{—}}{16}$	$16$ is the repeating block
$\text{0.271271271…}=0.\stackrel{\text{–––}}{271}$	$271$ is the repeating block

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.

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.

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.

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?

Find the Circumference and Area of Circles

The properties of circles have been studied for over $\mathrm{2,000}$ years. All circles have exactly the same shape, but their sizes are affected by the length of the radius, a line segment from the center to any point on the circle. A line segment that passes through a circle’s center connecting two points on the circle is called a diameter. The diameter is twice as long as the radius. See Figure 5.8.

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 $\pi$ (pronounced pie). However, the exact value of $\pi$ cannot be calculated since the decimal never ends or repeats (we will learn more about numbers like this in The Properties of Real Numbers.)

If we want the exact circumference or area of a circle, we leave the symbol $\pi$ in the answer. We can get an approximate answer by substituting $3.14$ as the value of $\text{π}.$ We use the symbol $\approx$ to show that the result is approximate, not exact.

Since the diameter is twice the radius, another way to find the circumference is to use the formula $C=\text{π}\mathit{\text{d}}.$

Suppose we want to find the exact area of a circle of radius $10$ inches. To calculate the area, we would evaluate the formula for the area when $r=10$ inches and leave the answer in terms of $\text{π.}$

$$\begin{array}{}\\ A=\text{π}{\mathit{\text{r}}}^2\hfill \\ A=\text{π}\text{(}{10}^2\text{)}\hfill \\ A=\pi ·100\hfill \end{array}$$

We write $\pi$ after the $100.$ So the exact value of the area is $A=100\text{π}$ square inches.

To approximate the area, we would substitute $\pi \approx 3.14.$

$$\begin{array}{ccc}A& =& 100\text{π}\hfill \\ \\ & \approx & 100·3.14\hfill \\ & \approx & 314\text{square inches}\hfill \end{array}$$

Remember to use square units, such as square inches, when you calculate the area.

Key Concepts

• 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.
• Properties of Circles

  

  $r$ is the length of the radius
  $d$ is the length of the diameter
  The circumference is $2\pi r$. $C=2\pi r$
  The area is $\pi r^2$. $A=\pi r^2$

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 $\text{>.}$

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

Writing Exercises

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?