Decimal to fraction

Here you will learn strategies on how to convert decimals to fractions.

Students will first learn about converting decimals to fractions in 4th grade math as part of their work in number and operations with fractions.

What is decimals to fractions?

Converting decimals to fractions is when you represent a decimal as a fraction without changing its value.

Here is a visual model representing 0.43. The hundredths grid is made up of 100 equal parts. 43 pieces are shaded out of 100 equal parts which is \cfrac{43}{100}.

Decimals to Fractions image 1

You can also use a place value chart to convert decimals to fractions.

Decimals as fractions \hspace{1cm}

Decimal → 0.43

Decimals to Fractions table image 1

Read as forty-three hundredths.

43 is the numerator of the fraction and 100
is the denominator because the last digit of
the decimal is in the hundredths column of
the place value chart,

\bf{0.43 = \cfrac {43}{100}}

Decimal → 0.009

Decimals to Fractions table image 2

Read as nine thousandths.

9 is the numerator of the fraction and 1000
is the denominator because the 9 is in the
thousandths column of the place value
chart,

\bf{0.009 = \cfrac {9}{1000}}

Decimals as fractions with simplifying

Decimal → 0.25



Decimals to Fractions table image 3

Read as twenty-five hundredths.

25 is the numerator of the fraction and 100 is the denominator because
the last digit of the decimal is in the hundredths place.

\cfrac{25}{100} \, can be simplified. The common factor between 25 and 100 is 25.

\cfrac{25\div 25}{100\div 25} \, =\cfrac{1}{4}

\bf{\cfrac{25}{100} \, =\cfrac{1}{4}}

Decimals bigger than \bf{1} to a mixed number

Decimal → 1.4



Decimals to Fractions table image 4

Read as one and four tenths.

1 is a whole number, 4 is the numerator of the fraction and 10 is the
denominator.

1\cfrac{4}{10}

\cfrac{4}{10} \, can be simplified. The common factor between 4 and 10 is 2.

\cfrac{4\div 2}{10\div 2} \, =\cfrac{2}{5}

\bf{1\cfrac{4}{10}} \, in its simplest form is \bf{1\cfrac{2}{5}} \,

What is decimals to fractions?

What is decimals to fractions?

Common Core State Standards

How does this apply to 4th grade math and 5th grade math?

  • Grade 4 – Number and Operations – Fractions (4.NF.C.5)
    Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 and 100. For example, express \frac{3}{10} as \frac{30}{100}, and add \frac{3}{10} + \frac{4}{100} = \frac{34}{100}.

  • Grade 5 – Number and Operations in Base 10 (5.NBT.A.3)
    Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.

How to convert decimals to fractions

In order to write a decimal as a fraction with a hundredths chart model:

  1. Represent the decimal on the hundredths chart.
  2. The shaded part is the numerator, and the total amount of equal parts is the denominator.
  3. Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

In order to write a decimal as a fraction:

  1. Write the decimal in words.
  2. The numerator is the digits of the decimal, and the denominator is the column of the last digit on the place value chart.
  3. Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

In order to write a decimal bigger than 1 as a mixed number:

  1. Write the decimal in words.
  2. Keep the whole number.
  3. The numerator is the digits to the right of the decimal point, and the denominator is the column of the last digit in the place value chart.
  4. Write the mixed number and simplify if possible.

[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

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[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Converting Fractions, Decimals and Percents Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of converting fractions, decimals and percents. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade converting fractions, decimals and percents topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Convert decimals to fractions examples

Example 1: write a decimal as a fraction using a model

Represent 0.21 as a fraction using a model.

  1. Represent the decimal on the hundredths chart.

Decimals to Fractions example 1

There are 21 parts shaded out of the 100 equal parts.

2The shaded part is the numerator, and the total amount of equal parts is the denominator.

Since there are 21 shaded parts and 100 equal parts. 21 will be the numerator of the fraction, and 100 is the denominator of the fraction.

3Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

0.21 → \cfrac{21}{100}

\cfrac{21}{100} \, is in lowest terms.

Example 2: convert a simple decimal to a fraction (without simplifying)

Change 0.3 to a fraction.

Write the decimal in words.

The numerator is the digits of the decimal, and the denominator is the column of the last digit on the place value chart.

Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

Example 3: convert a decimal to a fraction (with simplifying)

Convert 0.22 to a fraction.

Write the decimal in words.

The numerator is the digits of the decimal, and the denominator is the column of the last digit on the place value chart.

Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

Example 4: convert a decimal to a fraction involving thousandths

Convert 0.387 to a fraction.

Write the decimal in words.

The numerator is the digits of the decimal, and the denominator is the column of the last digit on the place value chart.

Write the fraction and simplify if possible.

Example 5: convert a decimal bigger than 1 to a mixed number

Convert 1.7 to a mixed number.

Write the decimal in words.

Keep the whole number.

The numerator is the digits to the right of the decimal point, and the denominator is the column of the last digit in the place value chart.

Write the mixed number and simplify if possible.

Example 6: convert a decimal bigger than 1 to a mixed number (with simplifying)

Convert 2.04 to a fraction.

Write the decimal in words.

Keep the whole number.

The numerator is the digits to the right of the decimal point, and the denominator is the column of the last digit in the place value chart.

Write the mixed number and simplify if possible.

Teaching tips for converting decimals to fractions

  • Use a visual model to introduce the topic since students should be familiar with how to create a fraction from a model.

  • Use a number line to help students formulate number sense with decimal and fraction numbers.

  • Reinforcing the decimal value will help students be able to write it in fraction form.

  • When teaching the math lessons on converting fractions to decimals, have students change improper fractions to mixed numbers first before making the conversion.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Placing the decimal number in the wrong columns on a place value chart
    For example, placing the 3 in the decimal number 0.03 in the tenths column instead of the hundredths column.

    Decimals to Fractions image 3Decimals to Fractions image 4

  • Forgetting to write the fraction in lowest terms
    Always look to see if there is a common factor between the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.

  • Confusing the numerator and the denominator
    The numerator is the top number, and the denominator is the bottom number.
    When converting a decimal to a fraction, the digits of the decimal will be the numerator (top number) and a power of ten will be the denominator (bottom number).

Practice converting decimals to fractions questions

1. Which fraction represents the decimal represented in the model?

 

0.33

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 1

\cfrac{33}{1000}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{33}{100}
GCSE Quiz True

\cfrac{3}{10}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{30}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

33 shaded parts out of 100 equal parts as a fraction is \, \cfrac{33}{100}.

2. What is 0.1 as a fraction in lowest terms?

\cfrac{10}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{1}{10}
GCSE Quiz True

\cfrac{0.1}{1}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{0.01}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

0.1 in words is one tenth. Put it on a place value chart.

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 2

 

0 is in the ones column and 1 is in the tenths column.

 

1 will be the numerator, and 10 will be the denominator.

 

0.1 as a fraction is \, \cfrac{1}{10}.

 

\cfrac{1}{10} \, is in lowest terms.

3. What is 0.4 as a fraction in lowest terms?

\cfrac{40}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{4}{10}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{2}{5}
GCSE Quiz True

\cfrac{0.4}{1}
GCSE Quiz False

0.4 in words is four tenths. Put it on the place value chart.

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 3

 

0 is in the ones column and 4 is in the tenths column.

 

4 will be the numerator, and 10 will be the denominator.

 

0.4 as a fraction is \, \cfrac{4}{10}.

 

\cfrac{4}{10} \, can be simplified because the common factor of 4 and 10 is 2.

 

\cfrac{4 \, \div \, 2}{10 \, \div \, 2}=\cfrac{2}{5}

 

\cfrac{4}{10} \, in lowest terms is \, \cfrac{2}{5}.

4. What is 0.016 as a fraction in lowest terms?

\cfrac{16}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{4}{25}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{16}{1000}
GCSE Quiz False

\cfrac{2}{125}
GCSE Quiz True

0.016 in words is sixteen thousandths. Put it on the place value chart.

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 4

 

0 is in the ones column, 0 is in the tenths column, 1 is in the hundredths column, and 6 is in the thousandths column.

 

16 will be the numerator, and 1000 will be the denominator.

 

0.16 written as fraction is \, \cfrac{16}{1000}.

 

8 is the common factor between 16 and 1000.

 

\cfrac{16 \, \div \, 8}{1000 \, \div \, 8}=\cfrac{2}{125}

 

\cfrac{16}{1000} \, in lowest terms is \, \cfrac{2}{125}.

5. What is 1.23 as a mixed number in lowest terms?

1\cfrac{23}{100}
GCSE Quiz True

\cfrac{23}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

1\cfrac{23}{1000}
GCSE Quiz False

1\cfrac{23}{10}
GCSE Quiz False

1.23 in words is one and twenty-three hundredths. Put it on the place value chart.

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 5

 

1 is in the ones column, 2 is in the tenths column, and 3 is in the hundredths column.

 

1 is the whole number part of the mixed number. 23 is the numerator, and 100 is the denominator of the fractional part of the mixed number.

 

1.23 as a fraction is \, 1\cfrac{23}{100}.

 

1\cfrac{23}{100} \, is in lowest terms.

6. What is 2.05 as mixed number in its simplest form?

2\cfrac{5}{10}
GCSE Quiz False

2\cfrac{1}{2}
GCSE Quiz False

2\cfrac{5}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

2\cfrac{1}{20}
GCSE Quiz True

2.05 in words is two and five hundredths. Put it on the place value chart.

 

Decimals to Fractions practice question 6

 

2 is in the ones column, 0 is in the tenths column, and 5 is in the hundredths column.

 

2 is the whole number part of the mixed number. 5 is the numerator, and 100 is the denominator of the fractional part of the mixed number.

 

2.05 written as a fraction is \, 2\cfrac{5}{100}.

 

5 is the common factor between 5 and 100.

 

\cfrac{5\div 5}{100\div 5}=\cfrac{1}{20}

 

2\cfrac{5}{100} \, in lowest terms is \, 2\cfrac{1}{20}.

Converting decimals to fractions FAQs

Are the denominators always going to be a power of ten?

Yes, when converting a decimal to a fraction the denominator of the fraction will always be a power of ten. This is because our decimal system breaks apart the decimal number into tenths (\cfrac{1}{10}), hundredths (\cfrac{1}{100}), thousandths (\cfrac{1}{1000}), etc.

Do you always have to simplify the fraction?

It’s a good practice to always write a fraction in lowest terms, but refer to your state standards for specific guidance.

Can you convert a fraction back into a decimal?

Yes, you can go from decimal representation to fraction representation and vice versa. For example, to convert \cfrac{9}{10} \, to a decimal, you can put it on the place value chart.

Decimals to Fractions FAQS
9 will go in the tenths column, so the decimal representation of \cfrac{9}{10} \, is 0.9.

Do you have to use a place value chart to convert a decimal to a fraction?

No, there are other ways to convert decimals to fractions. You can use the fraction calculator converter.

What are decimal fractions?

A decimal fraction is when the denominator of the fraction is a power of 10. For example, \cfrac{3}{100} \, is a decimal fraction because 100 is 10^2.

Can you convert a repeating decimal to a fraction?

Yes, repeating decimals are rational numbers. Rational numbers can be written as fractions. So, repeating decimals can be written as fractions. You will learn how to do this fraction conversion in 8th grade math.

The next lessons are

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