Convert fractions to decimals

key notes :

How are fractions and decimal numbers related?

Fractions and decimals both represent parts of a whole. You can use fractions and decimals to represent the same amount. Look at the two examples below.

Five different ways of showing the number three tenths. First is a rectangle split into ten pieces with three of the tenths shaded. Next is the fraction three over ten. Next are the words three tenths. Next is the decimal zero point three. Last is a place value chart with the zero in the ones place, a decimal point, and the three in the tenths place. Then there are five different ways of showing the number forty-seven hundredths. First is a rectangle split into one hundred pieces with forty-seven of the pieces shaded. Next is the fraction forty-seven over one hundred. Next are the words forty-seven hundredths. Next is the decimal zero point four seven. Last is a place value chart with the zero in the ones place, a decimal point, the four in the tenths place, and the seven in the hundredths place.

How do you convert a fraction to a decimal?

To convert a fraction to a decimal, it can help to rename the fraction to have a denominator of 10 or 100.

Let’s try it with 3/5. First, rename the fraction to have a denominator of 10. Multiply the numerator and the denominator by 2.

3/5=3×2 / 5×2= 6/10

You get 6/10, or 6-tenths. Write 6 tenths in a place value chart.

A place value chart with a zero in the ones place, a decimal point, and a six in the tenths place.

So, 3/5=0.6!

Let’s try it again with 3 57/100. The fraction part already has a denominator of 100. So, put the numbers into a place value chart. You have 3 and 57 hundredths.

A place value chart with a three in the ones place, a decimal point, a five in the tenths place, and a seven in the hundredths place.

So, 3 57/100=3.57

Learn with an example

🎯 Write 9/10 as a decimal number.

  • Write the fraction as a decimal number with 1 decimal place.
  • 9/10= 0.9

🎯 Write 3/100 as a decimal number.

  • Write the fraction as a decimal number with 2 decimal places.
  • 3/100= 0.03

🎯 Write 3/10 as a decimal number.

  • Write the fraction as a decimal number with 1 decimal place.
  • 3/10= 0.3

Let’s practice!