what is 0.2 as a fraction

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15-01-2025

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Understanding how to convert decimals to fractions is a fundamental skill in mathematics. This guide will show you how to easily convert the decimal 0.2 into its fractional equivalent. We'll walk through the process step-by-step, making it easy to understand, even for beginners.

Understanding Decimals and Fractions

Before we begin, let's quickly review the basics. Decimals represent parts of a whole using a base-ten system. Fractions, on the other hand, represent parts of a whole using a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number). The denominator tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided into, while the numerator tells you how many of those parts you have.

Converting 0.2 to a Fraction: A Step-by-Step Guide

Converting 0.2 to a fraction is straightforward. Here's how:

1. Write the decimal as a fraction with a denominator of 1: This is our starting point. We can write 0.2 as 0.2/1.

2. Multiply the numerator and denominator by 10: Since there is one digit after the decimal point, we multiply both the numerator and denominator by 10. This moves the decimal point one place to the right in the numerator. This gives us 2/10.

3. Simplify the fraction: Now, we need to simplify the fraction 2/10 to its lowest terms. Both the numerator (2) and the denominator (10) are divisible by 2. Dividing both by 2 gives us 1/5.

Therefore, 0.2 as a fraction is 1/5.

Why This Works

The reason this method works is because multiplying both the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number doesn't change its value. We're essentially multiplying the fraction by 1 (10/10 = 1). This manipulation allows us to express the decimal as a fraction easily.

Other Examples

Let's look at a few more examples to solidify your understanding:

• 0.5: This becomes 5/10, which simplifies to 1/2.
• 0.75: This becomes 75/100, which simplifies to 3/4.
• 0.02: This becomes 2/100, which simplifies to 1/50.

Notice the pattern: The number of decimal places determines the power of 10 you multiply by. For example, two decimal places would mean multiplying by 100, three decimal places would mean multiplying by 1000 and so on.

Conclusion

Converting decimals to fractions is a valuable skill. By following these simple steps, you can easily convert any decimal to its fractional equivalent. Remember the key steps: write the decimal as a fraction over 1, multiply to eliminate the decimal point, and then simplify. Now you know that 0.2 is equivalent to the simple fraction 1/5!