In this explainer, we will learn how to convert between fractions, terminating decimals, and percentages.
Letβs begin by making sure we are familiar with the vocabulary we will be using.
Definition: Fraction
A fraction, in everyday language, means a part of something. In math, a fraction describes a proportion that compares a part, , to a whole, . It tells if one divides the whole in equal portions, how many of these portions make the part we are considering. We call the numerator and the denominator, then write the fraction as the ratio . A fraction can also be understood as a quotient, .
For example, letβs consider the fraction .
The denominator of 5 gives us the number of equal portions in the whole. The numerator of 2 tells us to consider the part of the whole made of two portions. This can be visually demonstrated with a rectangle, where 2 out of 5 equal portions are shaded. The entire rectangle represents the whole and the two shaded portions represent the part.
Definition: Terminating Decimal
A decimal is another way to write a fraction. A terminating decimal is one where the numbers end (or terminate) at some point. Terminating decimals are equivalent to fractions with denominators of 10 or 100 or 1βββ000 or 10βββ000 or 100βββ000 and so on. The number of digits to the right of the decimal point tells us which denominator the equivalent fraction has.
A decimal with only one digit after the decimal point is the number of portions out of 10. We call this the number of tenths. For example,
A decimal with two digits after the decimal point is the number of portions out of 100. We call this the number of hundredths. For example, and
A decimal with three digits after the decimal point is the number of portions out of 1βββ000. We call this the number of thousandths. For example, and
Any digits to the left of the point represent the whole number in a mixed number. For example,
Definition: Percentage
We write a percentage as , meaning out of 100. A percentage is a way to express a given proportion such that .
We can use a double line diagram to show how and compare in the same way as and 100.
For example, we can express the fraction as a percentage. To find , we start with the equal ratios, . Letβs use a double line diagram to help us reason. We may notice that 100 can be split in four portions of 25 each. So, if one-quarter of 100 is 25, then three-quarters is 75. Therefore, . So, can be expressed as .
By now, we should see that both decimals and percentages are closely related to fractions. This allows us to convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages based on the relationship between the different representations.
To convert a fraction to a terminating decimal, it can be helpful to first convert the denominator to exactly 10 or any number of tens multiplied together, such as
It will help us here to think of a fraction as a value in the numerator divided by the denominator. A numerator divided by ten becomes a value terminating in the tenths place. A numerator divided by 100 becomes a value terminating in the hundredths place. To consider larger denominators, we can use a decimal place value table to remind us where different place values terminate after the decimal point. We should note that whole number place values are to the left of the decimal point.
If we have a calculator, this process can be simplified by just doing a division on a calculator, specifically the numerator divided by the denominator. The result of this division on the calculator will be a decimal. Because we may not always have access to a calculator, we should still be familiar with the general method that can be done without technology.
How To: Expressing a Fraction as a Terminating Decimal
Step 1: Find a number that you can multiply (or divide) the denominator by, such that it becomes 10, 100, 1βββ000, or any number with a one followed by zeros.
Step 2: Multiply (or divide) both the numerator and denominator by this number.
Step 3: Use the denominator to decide the decimal place (tenths for 10, hundredths for 100, and so on). A decimal system place value table can be used to help determine this.
Step 4: Write the numerator value so that it terminates in the corresponding decimal place, writing extra zeros if necessary.
For example, we can express as by multiplying the numerator and denominator by two. Four portions out of ten means we put the value 4 in the tenths place, resulting in the terminating decimal 0.4.
Letβs see how converting between fractions and decimals can be useful to answer a question about weighing apples.
Example 1: Answering a Word Problem Using Conversion between Fractions, Terminating Decimals, and Percentages
A woman bought kg of apples. She places these apples on a digital scale that displays their weight (in kilograms) as a decimal. What numbers should appear on the display of the digital scale?
Answer
We want to convert the given fraction to a decimal. The easiest way to find the decimal value is by doing a division on a calculator, specifically . The result of this division on the calculator is 0.2. When we cannot use technology, we should also know how to convert by hand.
Recall that the first three decimal places to the right of the decimal point are tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. Thus, we would like to rewrite our fraction to have a denominator of 10, 100, or 1βββ000. There are two ways to proceed.
One option is to simplify the fraction as , which gives us a denominator of 10. We then place the value of 2 in the tenths place to the right of the decimal point, giving us 0.2 kilograms.
Another option is to rewrite the fraction as , which gives us a denominator of 100. We then place the value of 20 in the hundredths place to the right of the decimal point, giving us 0.20 kilograms. It is worth noting that there are 10 hundredths in one tenth, so a 20 in the hundredths place is equal to a 2 in the tenths place. This means we could write the answer more simply as 0.2 kilograms.
Now that we have been reminded of how to convert from a fraction to a decimal, letβs try converting in the other direction. To convert a terminating decimal to a fraction, we will first determine what place the decimal terminates. A value terminating in the tenths place becomes the numerator of a fraction with denominator ten. A value terminating in the hundredths place becomes the numerator of a fraction with denominator 100. Then, we can use a decimal place value table to remind us where other place values terminate after the decimal point. We should note that whole number place values are to the left of the decimal point.
How To: Expressing a Terminating Decimal as a Fraction
Step 1: Identify the place value where the decimal terminates. A decimal system place value table can be used to help determine this.
Step 2: Take the numerical digits of the decimal and make that the numerator of a fraction with the denominator identified in step 1 (for tenths, use 10, for hundredths, use 100, and so on).
Step 3: Once the decimal is converted to fraction form, it should be written in its simplest form, where the numerator and denominator have no whole number common factors other than 1. If the resulting improper fraction has a value greater than 1, it can be written as a mixed number.
For example, because the decimal 9.415 terminates in the thousandths place, we will write the value 9βββ415 over a denominator of 1βββ000. We should check to see if 9415 and 1βββ000 have a highest common factor (HCF). Since the HCF is five, we will divide the numerator and denominator by 5, resulting in . This improper fraction is greater than 1, so we need to find the largest multiple of 200 that is also less than 1βββ883. That is 9, because , leaving us with a remainder of 83. The 9 becomes our whole number part and the remainder over 200 becomes the fraction part. Taking the improper fraction apart can be written like this:
Example 2: Converting a Terminating Decimal to a Fraction
Write as a fraction in its simplest form.
Answer
We want to convert the given decimal to a fraction. We should note that converting between decimals and fractions does not change the positive or negative value of the number. Since we are given a negative decimal, the equivalent fraction will also be negative. That means we may reason through our answer without regard for the negative sign, as long as we remember to reinstate the negative sign in our final answer.
Recall that the second decimal place to the right of the decimal point is the hundredth. Thus, we will create a fraction with a denominator of 100. The numerator will be the numerical digits from the original decimal, 15. Putting that together gives us the fraction .
Finally, we must determine if the fraction can be simplified or written as a mixed number. Since, is less than 1, it cannot be written as a mixed number. However, 15 and 100 have a highest common factor of 5. So, we proceed to divide the numerator and denominator by 5, as shown here:
Since the terminating decimal 0.15 can be written as , can be written as a .
Recall that the word percent literally means βout of one hundred.β That is why we model percentages as amounts out of 100. A fraction can be expressed as a percentage , read β percentβ and meaning out of 100. For this to work, and must compare in the same way as and 100. This is mathematically expressed with equal ratios . We can use a double line diagram to visualize this proportional relationship.
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 looks like
On the left side of the equation, we should notice that is both divided by 100 and multiplied by 100. Those are opposite operations, so we are left with just :
As we have shown, multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 gives us the value of . Therefore, to express a fraction as a percentage, we can simply multiply the fraction by 100.
Formula: Express a Fraction as a Percentage
A fraction of the form can be expressed as a percentage , where
For example, can be expressed as a percentage by multiplying the numerator and denominator by 5. This gives us , where the numerator indicates our percentage is .
In general, we could have multiplied it by 100, resulting in ; then, .
Therefore, can be expressed as .
Letβs practice converting between decimals, fractions, and percentages.
Example 3: Converting a Terminating Decimal to a Fraction, Then to a Percentage
Write 5.07 as a fraction in its simplest form. Then, write 5.07 in percentage form.
Answer
We begin by considering the decimal 5.07. We can use a decimal place value table to identify where 5.07 terminates. The last digit, 7, is in the hundredths place.
So, we can write this as 507 out of 100, which is the fraction . This fraction is in its simplest form, because 507 and 100 have no common factor other than 1. However, is greater than 1, so we can still write it as a mixed number. The whole number part is 5 because , leaving us with a remainder of 7. The 7 becomes the fraction part of our mixed number. We can write this out as
Next, we want to write this value as a percentage. Recall that, in general, a fraction can be expressed as a percentage using the formula . And when we calculate , we get . So, . It is also relevant to recall that if a fraction is of the form , it can be expressed as .
In conclusion, 5.07 can be written as the fraction or the percentage .
We have seen how to express a fraction as a percentage and now we are ready to explore how to express a percentage as a fraction.
By definition, a percentage means out of 100 and represents the proportion. To convert from a percentage to a fraction , we must find values and that compare in the same way as and 100. This is mathematically expressed with equal ratios. We can use a double line diagram to visualize this proportional relationship.
According to this proportional relationship, divided by 100 equals. Therefore, to express a percentage as a fraction, we simply write the fraction in its simplest form.
Formula: Expressing a Percentage as a Fraction
A percentage can be expressed as the fraction. Then, we can write the fraction in its simplest form, if necessary.
For example, the percentage can be expressed as a fraction by taking and writing it in its simplest form. Therefore, can be expressed as the simplified fraction because .
Letβs practice writing a percentage as a fraction in its simplest form.
Example 4: Converting a Percentage to a Fraction
Write as a fraction in its simplest form.
Answer
Recall that a percentage can be expressed as the fraction . Therefore, can be expressed as . To ensure our answer is in its simplest form, we will consider whether 120 and 100 have a highest common factor (HCF). Twenty is the HCF of 120 and 100, so we divide the numerator and denominator by 20, resulting in . Because is greater than 1, we can write it as a mixed number. We can think of as , which gives us the mixed number .
Therefore, can be expressed as the simplified fraction .
Letβs return to decimals once again to discover how to express a terminating decimal as a percentage.
Recall how a percentage can be expressed as the proportion . To convert from a decimal to a percent, must equal the ratio of to 100. This is mathematically expressed with the equation . However, since we are converting from a decimal to a percentage, we want to know what equals.
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 looks like
On the left side of the equation, we should notice that is both divided by 100 and multiplied by 100. Those are opposite operations, so we are left with just :
As we have shown, multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 gives us the value of . Therefore, to express a terminating decimal as a percentage, we can simply multiply the decimal by 100.
It is worth noting that each place value is multiplied by 10 moving from right to left. So, moving two places to the left means we are multiplying by 10 twice. Therefore, to quickly find the product of a number and 100, we move all digits to the left two place values.
Formula: Expressing a Terminating Decimal as a Percentage
A terminating decimal can be expressed as a percentage , where
Multiplying a decimal by 100 results in all digits being moved two place values to the left. Using a decimal place value table may help you move the correct number of places.
For example, we can express 0.185 as a percentage by multiplying by 100, which is to move all digits two decimal place values to the left.
Therefore, the terminating decimal 0.185 can be expressed as the percentage .
Now that we have seen how multiplying a decimal by 100 gives us the percentage, it should not be too surprising that we will divide by 100 to convert from a percentage to a decimal.
A percentage can be expressed as a terminating decimal as long as equals the ratio of to 100. This is mathematically expressed with the equation . Therefore, to express a percentage as a terminating decimal, we can simply divide the decimal by 100.
It is worth noting that each place value is divided by 10 moving from left to right.
Therefore, to quickly find the quotient of a number and 100, we move all digits to the right two place values.
Formula: Expressing a Percentage as a Terminating Decimal
A percentage can be expressed as a terminating decimal , where
Dividing a decimal by 100 results in all digits being moved two place values to the right.
Using a decimal place value table may help you move the correct number of places. Fill in zeros to the left, as needed.
For example, we can express as a decimal by dividing by 100, which is to move all digits two decimal place values to the right. We can then place a zero in the ones place to show there is no whole number part of the decimal.
Therefore, the percentage can be expressed as the terminating decimal 0.48.
In the next example, we will practice converting from a percentage to a decimal.
Example 5: Converting a Percentage to a Terminating Decimal
What is the decimal form of ?
Answer
We begin by considering the percentage . By definition, a percentage can be expressed as out of 100. This means the percentage can be written as . Recall that, in general, a percentage can be expressed as a terminating decimal using the formula . So, we can express by dividing by 100, which is to move all digits two decimal place values to the right. We can then place a zero in the ones place to show there is no whole number part of the decimal.
Therefore, the percentage can be expressed as the terminating decimal 0.12.
We may face problems where we are given an equivalence of a decimal, percent, and fraction, but some parts are missing. Now that we have reviewed the relationship between all three representations, letβs put that knowledge to work in our final example.
Example 6: Finding the Percentage and the Part Knowing the Decimal and the Whole
If , find and .
Answer
We begin by expressing the terminating decimal, 0.05, as a percentage. To express a terminating decimal as a percentage, we can simply multiply the decimal by 100. To quickly find the product of a number and 100, we move all digits to the left two decimal place values. Moving the digits 0 and 5 two places to the left gives us .
Therefore, the terminating decimal 0.05 can be expressed as the percentage . So, .
Next, we look for the value of , for which . In other words, we are looking for what part of 20 is . We can use a double line diagram to visualize this proportional relationship.
Since can be represented as 5 out of 100, we have . We want to find the value that compares with 20 in the same way 5 compares with 100. This is mathematically expressed with equal ratios . We can simplify . Since, , we have just shown that . The terminating decimal 0.05 and percentage of can both be expressed as .
In conclusion, and .
Letβs finish by recapping some important points from the explainer.
Key Points
- A decimal place value table is a helpful visual to convert between a decimal and a fraction or percentage.
- To convert a fraction to a terminating decimal, find an equivalent fraction over 10 or any number of tens multiplied
together. The numerator of the new fraction contains the digits that should terminate in
- the tenths place if the denominator is 10,
- the hundredths place if the denominator is 100,
- the thousandths place if the denominator is 1 000, and so on.
- To convert a fraction to a terminating decimal with a calculator, divide the numerator by the denominator.
- To convert a terminating decimal to a fraction without a calculator, use the digits of the decimal as the numerator
of a fraction with
- a denominator of 10 if the decimal terminates in the tenths place,
- a denominator of 100 if the decimal terminates in the hundredths place,
- a denominator of 1βββ000 if the decimal terminates in the thousandths place, and so on.
Then, simplify the fraction.
- To express a fraction as a percentage, multiply the fraction by 100.
- A percentage can be expressed as the fraction . We can then write the fraction in its simplest form, if necessary.
- To express a decimal as a percentage, multiply the decimal by 100 or move the digits two places to the left.
- To express a percentage as a decimal, divide the percentage by 100 or move the digits two places to the right.