Convert the decimal to a fraction. 0.25
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The decimal 0.25 as a fraction is: 14\boxed{\frac{1}{4}}
300-Word Explanation:
Converting a decimal to a fraction involves expressing the number as a ratio of two integers. Let’s break down how to convert the decimal 0.25 into a fraction and understand why the answer is ¼.
Step 1: Understand the Decimal
The decimal 0.25 means “25 hundredths.” This can be written directly as: 0.25=251000.25 = \frac{25}{100}
This is because the digits after the decimal point indicate tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc. Here, “25” is in the hundredths place.
Step 2: Simplify the Fraction
Next, simplify the fraction 25/100 by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator.
Both 25 and 100 can be divided by 25: 25÷25100÷25=14\frac{25 \div 25}{100 \div 25} = \frac{1}{4}
So, 0.25 is equivalent to the simplified fraction ¼.
Why This Works
Fractions and decimals are two different ways to represent parts of a whole. Decimals use powers of 10 (like 0.1, 0.01, 0.001), while fractions use ratios of integers. By converting a decimal like 0.25 into hundredths, we align it with the base-10 system and can easily rewrite it as a fraction.
A Real-World Example
Imagine you have $1 and you spend $0.25. That means you spent one-quarter of a dollar. Similarly, if you cut a pizza into 4 equal slices and take one, you’ve taken ¼ of the pizza.
Summary
The decimal 0.25 equals the fraction ¼. You convert it by writing it as 25/100 and simplifying. This conversion is a useful skill in everyday math, science, and finance, helping to switch between formats with ease.