Introduction: Decimal to Fraction

Do you need to convert a decimal to a fraction or back the other way?
This will explain how to convert:
Decimals to Fractions
AND
Fractions back to Decimals

Step 1: The Conversion

To convert a decimal to a fraction you need to know what each place in a decimal equals.
see the chart below
To make it easier think of it this way:
the ones place is x/1, place just to the right of the decimal is x/10, the next place to the right is x/100, etc...
For each place the you move to the right of the decimal add another zero (0) to the denominator.

so 0.5 = 5/10, 0.006 = 6/1000, 0.0004 = 4/10000

Step 2: What About a Decimal With More Than One Numeral???

If the decimal has more than one numeral in it it's still just as easy to turn into a fraction.
For example: If the decimal is 0.0023 you would go to the largest place (the 4th place in this case) and use that as your denominator (4th place= x/10000). The numerator is the numerals in the decimal(23 in this case). So for the decimal 0.0023, the fraction would be 23/10000.

Step 3: Simplifying a Fraction

To simplify a fraction you first need to find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of both the numerator and the denominator. You then divide the numerator by the GCF and the denominator by the GCF.
if you need help with the GCF see step 1 and 2 of this instructable by Phoenixsong.
Ex: The GCD of 60/140 is 20. 60/2=3 and 140/20=7. The new simplified fraction is 3/7.

Step 4: Fraction Back to a Decimal

The fraction a/b translated into english would by a divided by b.
So to find the equation for converting two-thirds (2/3) into a decimal. You would take a(2) and divide it by b(3).
(If you don't know how to divide look at this instructable by TechnoGeek95.)
2/3=0.66666...

Step 5: Types of Decimals

2/3=0.66666...
This is called a repeating decimal it goes on forever repeating the same digits over and over.
ex: 0.66666...., 0.123123123..., 0.104710471047...
to simplify this number you have two options.
1)put a line over the repeating digits
2)round the decimal off

Another type of decimal is a terminating decimal.
A terminating decimal is a decimal that stops.
ex: 1/8 = 0.125, 1/50 =0.02, 1/32 = 0.03125

The third type of decimal is a irrational decimal.
An irrational decimal is one that does not terminate or repeat.
ex: pi, the square root of 2, any other non-perfect square roots
To simplify this number you can:
1) Round it off to whatever place you choose.