Generating fraction of a decimal number
Wilkin is programming a video game, and the graphics engine gives him the probability that a rare item shows up as $0.02\overline{45}$. To program it he needs an exact fraction, not a decimal that never ends. On this page you will learn to convert any decimal that repeats or terminates into a fraction, to go the other way, and to use the fraction to operate without errors.
Types of decimals
A decimal number can be one of three types, depending on how its digits end:
Classify the following numbers as exact decimals, pure recurring decimals or mixed recurring decimals. Then, for each of them, state its integer part and, if it has…
Classify the following numbers as exact decimals, pure recurring decimals or mixed recurring decimals. Then, for each of them, state its integer part and, if it has them, its period and its non-repeating part (anteperiod).
- a) $2.75$
- b) $1,\widehat{6}$
- c) $0.1\widehat{25}$
- d) $34,\widehat{09}$
Exact decimals
An exact decimal is already a fraction in disguise: $0.75$ is read "seventy-five hundredths."
Calculate the generating fraction of these terminating decimals. Do not forget to simplify the fraction to its simplest form. a) $0.8$ b) $1.25$ c) $0.064$ d) $12.5$
Calculate the generating fraction of these terminating decimals. Do not forget to simplify the fraction to its simplest form.
- a) $0.8$
- b) $1.25$
- c) $0.064$
- d) $12.5$
A smartwatch shows that you have completed $0.65$ of your daily step goal, as shown by the ring in the figure. What fraction of the total number of steps does this…
A smartwatch shows that you have completed $0.65$ of your daily step goal, as shown by the ring in the figure. What fraction of the total number of steps does this amount represent? Express the result as an irreducible fraction.
Amina and Marcos are comparing how much progress they have made reading a book. Amina says she has read $\frac{3}{4}$ of the book, and Marcos says he has read $0.75$…
Amina and Marcos are comparing how much progress they have made reading a book. Amina says she has read $\frac{3}{4}$ of the book, and Marcos says he has read $0.75$ parts.
Calculate the generating fraction of Marcos's number and check if they have actually read the same amount.
Purely periodic decimals
Here, putting a $1$ and zeros doesn't work. Let's see why with $x = 0.\overline{3}$.
Multiply by $10$: $10x = 3.\overline{3}$. Subtract $x$: $10x - x = 3.\overline{3} - 0.\overline{3}$, and the infinite digits cancel out. You get $9x = 3$, so $x = \frac{3}{9} = \frac{1}{3}$.
Find the generating fraction of the following pure recurring decimal numbers: a) $0,\widehat{4}$ b) $0,\widehat{15}$ c) $2,\widehat{3}$ d) $1,\widehat{72}$
Find the generating fraction of the following pure recurring decimal numbers:
- a) $0,\widehat{4}$
- b) $0,\widehat{15}$
- c) $2,\widehat{3}$
- d) $1,\widehat{72}$
In a popular strategy video game, a hero's attack speed is increased by a factor of $1.75$ and their defence is multiplied by $0,\hat{6}$. To make precise calculations…
In a popular strategy video game, a hero's attack speed is increased by a factor of $1.75$ and their defence is multiplied by $0,\hat{6}$. To make precise calculations in the game engine, the programmers need to work with fractions. Find the irreducible generating fractions of both numbers to help them.
Find the generating fraction of the pure recurring decimal $12,\widehat{3}$. To do this, follow the algebraic method by calling the number $x$ and multiplying by the…
Find the generating fraction of the pure recurring decimal $12,\widehat{3}$. To do this, follow the algebraic method by calling the number $x$ and multiplying by the appropriate power of 10 to subtract the expressions and eliminate the decimal part. Do not forget to simplify the result.
Mixed periodic decimals
Express the following mixed recurring decimals as irreducible fractions: a) $0.1\widehat{6}$ b) $1.2\widehat{3}$ c) $0.0\widehat{5}$ d) $2.1\widehat{45}$
Express the following mixed recurring decimals as irreducible fractions:
- a) $0.1\widehat{6}$
- b) $1.2\widehat{3}$
- c) $0.0\widehat{5}$
- d) $2.1\widehat{45}$
A Twitch streamer has calculated that the average duration of their subscriptions is $2.41\hat{6}$ months. If they want to express this time exactly for their quarterly…
A Twitch streamer has calculated that the average duration of their subscriptions is $2.41\hat{6}$ months. If they want to express this time exactly for their quarterly report:
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Identify what type of decimal number it is.
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Calculate its generating fraction following the steps of the powers of 10 method.
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Simplify the fraction until it is irreducible.
Match each decimal number with its corresponding irreducible generating fraction in your notebook. Be careful, there is one fraction that does not correspond to any of…
Match each decimal number with its corresponding irreducible generating fraction in your notebook. Be careful, there is one fraction that does not correspond to any of the numbers:
| Decimal Number | Generating Fraction |
|---|---|
| $0,\widehat{45}$ | $\frac{9}{20}$ |
| $0.45$ | $\frac{41}{90}$ |
| $0.4\widehat{5}$ | $\frac{5}{11}$ |
| $\frac{1}{2}$ |
Operating with the generating fraction
If you operate with $0.333$ instead of $0.\overline{3}$ you make a small error. If you convert everything to fractions, the result is exact.
Calculate the result of the following operation by first converting the decimal numbers into generating fractions and then performing the operation: $$\frac{1}{3} +…
Calculate the result of the following operation by first converting the decimal numbers into generating fractions and then performing the operation:
$$\frac{1}{3} + 0,\widehat{6}$$Calculate the exact value of the following expression. To do this, you must first convert each decimal number into its respective irreducible generating fraction: $$1.25…
Calculate the exact value of the following expression. To do this, you must first convert each decimal number into its respective irreducible generating fraction:
$$1.25 - 0,\hat{3} \times \left( \frac{1}{2} + 0.1\hat{6} \right)$$Calculate the exact result of the following mixed operation. To do this, you must first find the generating fractions of each decimal number and simplify the…
Calculate the exact result of the following mixed operation. To do this, you must first find the generating fractions of each decimal number and simplify the intermediate results:
$$1.2 + 0,\widehat{3} - 0.1\widehat{6}$$Roots and negative exponents with decimals
When the decimal is inside a root, first convert it to a fraction and take the root of the numerator and of the denominator separately: $\sqrt{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}}$.
A young graphic designer is creating a logo based on concentric circles. The radius of the inner circle must be exactly $\frac{7}{9}$ of the radius of the outer circle.…
A young graphic designer is creating a logo based on concentric circles. The radius of the inner circle must be exactly $\frac{7}{9}$ of the radius of the outer circle. If the radius of the outer circle is $4.5$ cm:
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Express the radius of the inner circle as a terminating decimal.
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If the area of the outer circle is calculated as $A = \pi \times r^2$, and we use the approximation $\pi \approx 3.14$, calculate the area of the small circle using always the generating fraction to obtain the highest possible precision.
Calculate the exact value of the following mixed expression. To avoid approximation errors, convert each decimal number into its respective generating fraction before…
Calculate the exact value of the following mixed expression. To avoid approximation errors, convert each decimal number into its respective generating fraction before calculating and simplify the result to an irreducible fraction:
$$L = \frac{1.2\widehat{6} \times \sqrt{0.25}}{(-2)^{-2} + 0.8\widehat{3}}$$In an archaeological excavation in Ancient Egypt, a square tile was found whose surface area measures exactly $5.4\widehat{4}$ square decimeters. The archaeologists need…
In an archaeological excavation in Ancient Egypt, a square tile was found whose surface area measures exactly $5.4\widehat{4}$ square decimeters. The archaeologists need to know the length of the tile's side to reconstruct the original mosaic.
Determine the side length as a fraction and then calculate the perimeter of the tile, expressing it as a decimal number.
Problems with measurements and units
In problems about speed, time, or capacity, periodic data are converted to fractions and the result comes out exact.
It rained a lot yesterday and the school rain gauge collected a total of $3,\widehat{3}$ liters per square meter. How would you express that exact amount of water using…
It rained a lot yesterday and the school rain gauge collected a total of $3,\widehat{3}$ liters per square meter. How would you express that exact amount of water using a fraction?
A messaging app's storage currently occupies $3.875$ GB of a phone's memory. The user decides to delete files and frees up space equivalent to $1,\hat{45}$ GB. 1.…
A messaging app's storage currently occupies $3.875$ GB of a phone's memory. The user decides to delete files and frees up space equivalent to $1,\hat{45}$ GB.
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Calculate the generating fraction of the space initially occupied.
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Calculate the generating fraction of the space freed up.
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What fraction of a GB remains occupied on the phone? Express the result as an irreducible fraction.
A surveillance drone travels a distance of $14.2\widehat{7}$ kilometers in a time of $0.3\widehat{8}$ hours. To calculate the average speed with total precision (without…
A surveillance drone travels a distance of $14.2\widehat{7}$ kilometers in a time of $0.3\widehat{8}$ hours. To calculate the average speed with total precision (without rounding in intermediate steps), the control system must work with fractions.
Calculate the average speed of the drone in km/h using generating fractions. Express the final result as an integer or an irreducible fraction.
Problems with areas and mixtures
When you have to multiply measurements (areas) or add quantities (mixtures), the method is the same: generating fraction of each piece of data, operation with fractions, and simplification.
An organic farmer has designed an irrigation tank with a rectangular base. The dimensions of the base are $2,\widehat{6}$ meters long and $1.125$ meters wide. If they…
An organic farmer has designed an irrigation tank with a rectangular base. The dimensions of the base are $2,\widehat{6}$ meters long and $1.125$ meters wide. If they want to install a protective cover that covers exactly the entire surface of the base, what should the area of the cover be? Express the result as an irreducible fraction of a square meter.
Two chemical tanks contain different mixtures. The first holds $2.1\widehat{6}$ liters of a reagent and the second holds $1.8\widehat{3}$ liters. If we mix both contents…
Two chemical tanks contain different mixtures. The first holds $2.1\widehat{6}$ liters of a reagent and the second holds $1.8\widehat{3}$ liters. If we mix both contents in a third container and, due to evaporation, a quarter of the total mixture is lost:
- a) What volume of liquid remains in the container? (Use generating fractions for the calculation).
- b) Is the result a terminating or a repeating decimal?
A satellite sends data in burst transmissions lasting microseconds. A burst lasts $0,\widehat{142857}$ seconds. The control center receives $2.1$ bursts per clock cycle.…
A satellite sends data in burst transmissions lasting microseconds. A burst lasts $0,\widehat{142857}$ seconds. The control center receives $2.1$ bursts per clock cycle.
If a clock cycle lasts exactly as long as the sum of those bursts, calculate the duration of a cycle expressing it as an irreducible fraction.
From fraction to decimal
The reverse path is simpler: divide the numerator by the denominator. If the division ends, the decimal is exact. If the remainders repeat, a period appears.
Three siblings have inherited an estate and divide it as follows: the eldest gets $0.4\widehat{6}$ of the estate, the middle one $0.3\widehat{18}$ and the youngest gets…
Three siblings have inherited an estate and divide it as follows: the eldest gets $0.4\widehat{6}$ of the estate, the middle one $0.3\widehat{18}$ and the youngest gets the rest.
- a) Calculate the generating fraction of the share corresponding to each of the two older siblings.
- b) What fraction of the total is left for the youngest sibling? Express the result as an irreducible fraction.
A tanker truck is carrying $12,000$ liters of milk. At the first stop, it unloads $0.2\widehat{3}$ of the total. At the second stop, it unloads $\frac{3}{11}$ of what…
A tanker truck is carrying $12,000$ liters of milk. At the first stop, it unloads $0.2\widehat{3}$ of the total. At the second stop, it unloads $\frac{3}{11}$ of what was left.
- a) How many liters remain in the truck after the second stop?
- b) Express the total amount unloaded across both stops, in liters, as a repeating decimal, stating whether it is pure or mixed.
Comparing with the generating fraction
When two numbers are very close (a periodic decimal and a fraction), the generating fraction lets you compare them with a common denominator, with no rounding doubts.
Back to the beginning: the probability Wilkin has to program is the irreducible fraction $\frac{27}{1100}$, and it is slightly less than $\frac{1}{40}$.
Look at the following number line where two points, $A$ and $B$, are marked. Point $A$ represents the decimal number $0.8\hat{3}$ and point $B$ represents the number…
Look at the following number line where two points, $A$ and $B$, are marked. Point $A$ represents the decimal number $0.8\hat{3}$ and point $B$ represents the number $1,\hat{2}$.
Calculate the generating fraction of each point and find the exact distance between $A$ and $B$ expressed as a single irreducible fraction.
In a Physical Education class, three students timed how long it takes them to run 100 meters. The times obtained are: Sara: $12.5$ seconds. Iván: $12,\hat{5}$ seconds.…
In a Physical Education class, three students timed how long it takes them to run 100 meters. The times obtained are:
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Sara: $12.5$ seconds.
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Iván: $12,\hat{5}$ seconds.
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Lucía: $12.0\hat{5}$ seconds.
Express the time of each student as an irreducible generating fraction and order them from fastest to slowest.
A young programmer is designing a video game and needs to set the probability of a rare item appearing. The code requires the probability to be entered as an irreducible…
A young programmer is designing a video game and needs to set the probability of a rare item appearing. The code requires the probability to be entered as an irreducible fraction, but the graphics engine returns the value as a mixed recurring decimal: $P = 0.02\widehat{45}$.
Find the generating fraction that the programmer must enter and justify whether this probability is greater than or less than $\frac{1}{40}$.
Ordering numbers and choosing the exact measure
To order several numbers, convert them all to fractions and look for a common denominator. It also helps you decide which of several fractions is the generating fraction of a decimal.
Look at the following number line where three points have been marked: $A$, $B$ and $C$. Point $B$ represents the decimal number $1.2\widehat{7}$. Find its irreducible…
Look at the following number line where three points have been marked: $A$, $B$ and $C$. Point $B$ represents the decimal number $1.2\widehat{7}$. Find its irreducible generating fraction and state which two integers this point lies between.
A tailor needs to buy fabric to make some costumes. The design requires exactly $2.0\widehat{4}$ meters of blue fabric. In the store, pieces of fabric are sold only in…
A tailor needs to buy fabric to make some costumes. The design requires exactly $2.0\widehat{4}$ meters of blue fabric. In the store, pieces of fabric are sold only in fractional measurements. Which of the following pieces should the tailor choose to get the exact measurement?
- a) $\frac{202}{99}$ meters.
- b) $\frac{37}{18}$ meters.
- c) $\frac{92}{45}$ meters.
Order the following real numbers from smallest to largest. To compare them accurately, convert all decimals into their generating fractions and find a common…
Order the following real numbers from smallest to largest. To compare them accurately, convert all decimals into their generating fractions and find a common denominator:
$$\frac{13}{20} \quad ; \quad 0.6\widehat{5} \quad ; \quad 0,\widehat{65} \quad ; \quad \frac{2}{3} \quad ; \quad 0.65$$Equations with decimals
If an equation has periodic decimals, convert them to fractions and solve for the unknown as usual.
Find the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality, expressing the decimal numbers as fractions first: $$0.1\widehat{2} \times x = 1.1$$
Find the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality, expressing the decimal numbers as fractions first:
$$0.1\widehat{2} \times x = 1.1$$A television game show sets the following challenge: "Find the smallest non-zero natural number that, when multiplied by the mixed recurring decimal $0.1\widehat{36}$,…
A television game show sets the following challenge: "Find the smallest non-zero natural number that, when multiplied by the mixed recurring decimal $0.1\widehat{36}$, gives an integer as a result". Which number are they looking for? Explain the steps followed.
Find a digit $x$ such that the pure recurring decimal $0,\widehat{x7}$ has a generating fraction whose simplified denominator is $33$. Is there more than one solution?…
Find a digit $x$ such that the pure recurring decimal $0,\widehat{x7}$ has a generating fraction whose simplified denominator is $33$. Is there more than one solution? Justify your answer by analysing the sum of the digits in the numerator.
Reasoning and proving with fractions
The generating fraction also helps you justify equalities that seem surprising.
A number is said to be "curious" if adding the digits of its numerator and denominator in its irreducible generating fraction yields the same value. Check whether the…
A number is said to be "curious" if adding the digits of its numerator and denominator in its irreducible generating fraction yields the same value. Check whether the numbers $0.4\hat{6}$ and $1,\hat{3}$ are "curious" numbers by calculating their generating fractions.
We know that in the decimal numeral system, the number $0,\widehat{9}$ is equal to $1$. Prove this using the generating fraction algorithm. Next, use that same logic to…
We know that in the decimal numeral system, the number $0,\widehat{9}$ is equal to $1$. Prove this using the generating fraction algorithm.
Next, use that same logic to deduce which terminating decimal the mixed repeating decimal $4.2\widehat{9}$ is equivalent to, and verify your answer by performing the addition $4.2 + 0.0\widehat{9}$ using fractions.
In a laboratory test, a scientist mixes three substances. The first weighs $\frac{5}{9}$ of a gram, the second weighs $0,\widehat{4}$ grams, and the third weighs…
In a laboratory test, a scientist mixes three substances. The first weighs $\frac{5}{9}$ of a gram, the second weighs $0,\widehat{4}$ grams, and the third weighs $0,\widehat{09}$ grams. Prove, using generating fractions, that the total sum of the three substances is exactly $\frac{12}{11}$ of a gram.