Dividing decimals; fractions to decimals · Usually met around P6
Fractions and decimals
Scale the bottom to 10, 100 or 1000.
How to do it
Method
Scale the bottom to 10, 100 or 1000
35 = 610 = 0.6
Another way
Top ÷ bottom
3 ÷ 5 = 0.6
In full
Fraction to decimal: scale the denominator up to 10, 100 or 1000, then write it as a decimal: 35 = 610 = 0.6. 720 = 35100 = 0.35. 38 = 3751000 = 0.375. Decimal to fraction: write it over 10, 100 or 1000, then simplify: 0.75 = 75100 = 34. You can also divide the numerator by the denominator: 3 ÷ 5 = 0.6.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
15 = ?
Answer as a decimal
Show the answer and working
Answer: 15 = 0.2
15: scale it to a denominator of 10, multiplying top and bottom by 2: 1 × 2 = 2, 5 × 2 = 10 → 210 = 0.2
Example 2
950 = ?
Answer as a decimal
Show the answer and working
Answer: 950 = 0.18
950: scale it to a denominator of 100, multiplying top and bottom by 2: 9 × 2 = 18, 50 × 2 = 100 → 18100 = 0.18
Example 3
320 = ?
Answer as a decimal
Show the answer and working
Answer: 320 = 0.15
320: scale it to a denominator of 100, multiplying top and bottom by 5: 3 × 5 = 15, 20 × 5 = 100 → 15100 = 0.15
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