1.4 as a fraction

Dou Vamel yi

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16-01-2025

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Understanding how to convert decimals to fractions is a fundamental math skill. This guide will walk you through the process of expressing 1.4 as a fraction, explaining the steps clearly and concisely. We'll even explore different ways to represent the fraction and simplify it to its lowest terms.

Understanding Decimals and Fractions

Before we begin, let's briefly review the relationship between decimals and fractions. A decimal is a way of writing a number that is not a whole number, using a decimal point to separate the whole number part from the fractional part. A fraction, on the other hand, represents a part of a whole, expressed as a ratio of two numbers (numerator and denominator).

Converting 1.4 to a Fraction: Step-by-Step

Here's how to convert the decimal 1.4 into a fraction:

1. Write the decimal as a fraction over 1: This is our starting point. We write 1.4 as 1.4/1.

2. Remove the decimal point: To do this, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator by a power of 10. Since there's one digit after the decimal point, we multiply by 10. This gives us (1.4 x 10) / (1 x 10) = 14/10.

3. Simplify the fraction: We can simplify 14/10 by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of both the numerator and the denominator. The GCD of 14 and 10 is 2. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 2, we get 7/5.

Therefore, 1.4 as a fraction is 7/5.

Representing 1.4 as a Mixed Number

The fraction 7/5 is an improper fraction because the numerator (7) is larger than the denominator (5). We can also express this as a mixed number, which combines a whole number and a proper fraction.

To convert 7/5 to a mixed number, we divide the numerator (7) by the denominator (5). 7 divided by 5 is 1 with a remainder of 2. This means 7/5 can be written as 1 2/5.

Why is understanding this important?

Converting decimals to fractions is a crucial skill in various mathematical contexts, including:

• Algebra: Solving equations often involves working with fractions.
• Geometry: Calculating areas and volumes frequently requires fractional calculations.
• Everyday life: Dividing quantities or expressing proportions often necessitates the use of fractions.

This ability ensures you can confidently handle various mathematical problems involving both decimal and fractional representations of numbers. Mastering this simple conversion strengthens your overall mathematical proficiency.