Question

Convert the following repeating decimal to a fraction in simplest form .53

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  53/99

Step-by-step explanation:

When an n-digit repeat begins at the decimal point, the repeating digits can be placed over an equal number of 9s to make a fraction. Sometimes, that fraction can be reduced to lower terms.

  $0.\overline{53}=\boxed{\dfrac{53}{99}}$

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If the repeat does not start at the decimal point, the conversion can be done as follows.

For a number x with a decimal fraction that has n digits repeating, multiply by 10^n, subtract x and then divide by (10^n -1).

The fraction will be ...

  (x·10^n -x)/(10^n -1) . . . where x has n repeating digits in the decimal fraction

Here, that looks like ...

  $x=0.\overline{53}\\100x=53.\overline{53}\\100x-x=53.\overline{53}-0.\overline{53}=53\\99x=53\\x=\dfrac{53}{99}$