How do you convert 8/50 to a decimal?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-27T07:09:44

$8/50 = 0.16$

There are 2 ways to tackle this type of question. Which one you use depends on the denominator of the fraction.

The first method

Decimals are based on powers of 10.
A decimal can be written as a fraction with a denominator of 10, 100, 1000, etc,

$0.3 = 3/10 and 0.67 = 67/100 and 3.479 = 3 479/1000$

Find an equivalent fraction for $8/50$

$8/50 xx 2/2 = 16/color(red)(100)" " rarr = 0.16$

The second method

If the denominator cannot be made into a power of 10, divide:

"numerator $div$ denominator = decimal"

$50 | ul(8.00)$
$color(white)(....x)0.16$

Consider $2/7$

$7 | ul(2.000000000000)$
$color(white)(...x)0.2857142857142.....$

This is a recurring decimal, but you can find the pattern by dividing.