Fractions to Decimals

• math
• 5th Grade

Fractions to Decimals

Quick Review

Fraction:

                                                              Numerator

                                                                   Denominator

(Parts of a whole number)

(Total number of parts or the whole)

1 piece of 8 pieces of pizza

1 group = 4/20

(4 apples in one group out of 20 total)

Quick Review

Decimal:

4.156

A whole number

Parts of a whole number

Digits following a decimal point is a value less than 1.

Terminating decimal

(It has an end.)

Recurring or repeating decimal

(Keeps going forever in a pattern)

Let's try something new...

Turning a fraction into a decimal

First, we need to divide the numerator by the denominator.

{Five divided by nine}

Can nine go into five?

Try adding a decimal and 

some zeroes. 

5.000

Divided by

9 =

0.555555

Notice anything?

That's right! The answer to 5 divided by 9 is a recurring or repeating decimal.  No matter how long you continue to add zeroes and divide, you're always going to end up with another 5.

Instead of writing 

your answer as 0.55555..., you can simply put a line 

over the five like the example below.

Let's test what we've learned

To convert fractions to decimals, you need to:

1. divide the denominator by the numerator
2. add the numerator and the denominator
3. subtract the numerator from the denominator
4. divide the numerator by the denominator

True

False

If a number remains when you are dividing, continue to add zeros until they're gone or you find it's a repeating decimal.

A repeating decimal will have an end.

You don't need to divide when converting.

You can convert all fractions to a decimal.

Try it!

Convert 1/8 to a decimal.

1. 1.8
2. .125
3. 18.00
4. .18

Try it!

Convert 5/12 to a decimal. (Rounded up.)

1. .42
2. .512
3. 5.12
4. .416

Try it!

Convert 9/10 to a decimal.

1. .90
2. 1.111....
3. 9.10
4. .19

Try it!

Convert 3/7 to a decimal.

1. .37
2. .300
3. .428
4. 3.7

You did it!

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to convert fractions to decimals. Ready to try converting decimals to fractions for our next lesson?