Understanding Decimals and Fractions
Decimals and fractions are two different ways of representing parts of a whole. Understanding how to convert between them is a fundamental skill in mathematics. Let's explore how to convert the decimal 1.2 into a fraction.
Breaking Down the Decimal
The decimal 1.2 represents one and two tenths. The "one" is the whole number part, and ".2" represents the fractional part, where "2" is in the tenths place.
The Conversion Process
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Identify the Decimal Place: The decimal 1.2 has one digit after the decimal point. This means the last digit is in the tenths place.
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Create the Fraction: The decimal 1.2 can be represented as the fraction 12/10. The numerator (12) comes from the decimal value, and the denominator (10) represents the place value (tenths).
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Simplify: The fraction 12/10 can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, which is 2. This simplifies the fraction to 6/5.
Result
Therefore, 1.2 expressed as a fraction is 6/5. This fraction is an improper fraction since the numerator is greater than the denominator. It can also be expressed as the mixed number 1 1/5.
In Summary
Converting a decimal to a fraction involves understanding the place value of the decimal digits. We create a fraction where the numerator is the decimal value and the denominator represents the place value. Simplifying the fraction gives us the final result.