Navigating Fractions and Decimals: Conversions and Operations

Introduction to Fractions and Decimals

Fractions and decimals are two ways of representing parts of a whole. Understanding how to work with and convert between these representations is crucial in arithmetic.

Fractions to Decimals

To convert a fraction to a decimal:

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator
2. The result is the decimal representation

Example:

3/4 = 0.75

Decimals to Fractions

To convert a decimal to a fraction:

1. Write the decimal as a fraction over powers of 10
2. Simplify the fraction if possible

Example:

0.75 = 75/100 = 3/4

Operations with Fractions and Decimals

Addition and Subtraction

• For fractions: Find a common denominator
• For decimals: Align decimal points

Multiplication

• For fractions: Multiply numerators and denominators
• For decimals: Multiply as whole numbers, then place the decimal point

Division

• For fractions: Multiply by the reciprocal