Understanding Decimal Fractions

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What is a decimal fraction?

A decimal fraction is a fraction where the denominator is a power of ten, often notated with a decimal point.

How is 0.75 expressed as a fraction?

0.75 is expressed as 75/100, which can be simplified to 3/4.

What is the term for a number between the decimal point and the first digit?

The term is 'leading zero.' For example, in 0.5, the leading zero is before 5.

How do you convert a fraction like 1/4 into a decimal?

To convert 1/4 into a decimal, divide 1 by 4, which equals 0.25.

Why are decimal fractions important in mathematics?

Decimal fractions provide a simple way to express fractions, are easy to use in calculations, and are a common format in everyday measurements.

What is the decimal equivalent of 3/5?

The decimal equivalent of 3/5 is 0.6.

How do you add decimals like 0.3 and 1.75?

Align the decimal points and add each column as you would with whole numbers, resulting in 2.05.

What is the process to subtract decimals, using 5.9 - 3.47 as an example?

Align the decimal points, perform the subtraction column by column, borrowing if necessary, resulting in 2.43.

How do you multiply decimals, for example, 2.5 * 3.4?

Multiply as whole numbers to get 850, then place the decimal point two places from the right for 8.50.

What is the importance of aligning decimal points when adding or subtracting?

Aligning decimal points ensures that the place values (tenths, hundredths) are correctly added or subtracted.

What does it mean to round a decimal to two decimal places?

It means adjusting the decimal so there are two digits after the decimal point, rounding up or down based on the third decimal.

How do you divide decimals, for instance, dividing 6.4 by 0.8?

Move the decimal point in the divisor to make it a whole number, do the same in the dividend, then divide as usual. Here, 64 divided by 8 is 8.

What is the decimal representation of 1/8?

The decimal representation of 1/8 is 0.125.

What should you do if you need to compare two decimal numbers like 0.8 and 0.76?

Align the decimal places by filling with zeros if needed, then compare digit by digit from left to right.

What role do decimals play in everyday life?

Decimals are used in monetary transactions, measurements, and various calculations involving non-integers in daily life.