What Are Fractions and Decimals?
Before we learn how to turn fractions into decimals, let’s understand what they both mean.
What Is a Fraction?
A fraction shows a part of a whole.
For example:
If you cut a pizza into 4 equal slices and eat 1 slice, you’ve eaten 1/4 of the pizza.
So, 1/4 is a fraction.
A fraction has two parts:
Numerator (top number): how many parts you have.
Denominator (bottom number): how many parts the whole is divided into.
Example:
In 3/5,
3 is the numerator (parts you have)
5 is the denominator (total parts)
What Is a Decimal?
A decimal is another way to show parts of a whole using dots (called a decimal point).
For example:
If you drink half a glass of juice, you can say you drank 0.
5 glass.
So, 0.
5 is a decimal.
Decimals use a decimal point to show the part after the whole number.
Example:
25 means 1 whole and 25 parts out of 100 (like 1 and 25/100).
Why Learn to Convert Fractions to Decimals?
Because:
Both mean the same thing (parts of a whole)
Decimals are easier to use in calculators and measurements
You’ll often see decimals in money, weight, and time
Topic-wise Breakdown of Fraction to Decimal Conversion
Understanding Place Value in Decimals
To convert a fraction to a decimal, it’s important to understand place values:
Place Name | Decimal Form
Tenths | 0.
1
Hundredths | 0.
01
Thousandths | 0.
001
Example:
• 3/10 = 0.
3 → “3 tenths”
• 47/100 = 0.
47 → “47 hundredths”
Easy Fractions with Denominators of 10 or 100
These are the easiest to convert because the denominator is already in decimal form!
Rule:
If the fraction has 10, 100, or 1000 in the denominator, just move the decimal point.
Example 1:
• 7/10 = 0.
7
Just say “7 tenths” → 0.
7
Example 2:
• 35/100 = 0.
35
Say “thirty-five hundredths”
Example 3:
• 5/1000 = 0.
005
Say “five thousandths”
Converting Fractions to Decimals by Division
This method works for all fractions!
Rule:
Divide the numerator by the denominator using long division or a calculator.
Formula:
Fraction = Numerator ÷ Denominator
Example 1:
1/2 = 1 ÷ 2 = 0.
5
Example 2:
3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.
75
Example 3:
7/8 = 7 ÷ 8 = 0.
875
So, whenever you’re stuck, just divide!
Terminating and Repeating Decimals
After dividing, you’ll get two types of decimals:
Terminating Decimals
Decimals that end.
Example:
• 1/4 = 0.
25
• 2/5 = 0.
4
These decimals stop after a few digits.
Repeating Decimals
Decimals that go on forever in a pattern.
Example:
• 1/3 = 0.
333… = 0. 3̇ (The 3 repeats)
• 2/9 = 0.
222… = 0. 2̇ (The 2 repeats)
We show repeating numbers with a line on top (called a bar).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Convert Fractions to Decimals
Let’s walk through the steps!
Step 1: Look at the denominator.
Is it 10, 100, or 1000?
Convert directly.
If not Go to Step 2.
Step 2: Divide the numerator by the denominator.
Step 3: Write down the answer as a decimal.
If it ends, it’s terminating.
If it keeps repeating, put a bar over the repeating part.
Fun Examples for Practice
Example 1: 1/2
