When we have a decimal number, we can convert it to a fraction by using place value. Each digit in a decimal number represents a fraction of a whole number, depending on its position relative to the decimal point. The digit to the left of the decimal point represents the whole number, while the digits to the right represent fractions of 10, 100, 1000, and so on.
What is 0.375 as a fraction?
Solution 1
To convert 0.375 to a fraction, we need to identify the place value of each digit. In this case, the 3 is in the tenths place, the 7 is in the hundredths place, and the 5 is in the thousandths place.
Step 1: Write the decimal as a fraction with the decimal number as the numerator and 1 as the denominator.
0.375 = 375/1000
Step 2: Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF). In this case, the GCF of 375 and 1000 is 125.
375 ÷ 125 = 3 1000 ÷ 125 = 8
Step 3: Write the simplified fraction in lowest terms.
375/1000 = 3/8
Therefore, 0.375 as a fraction in lowest terms is 3/8.
Solution 2
Alternatively, we can convert the decimal to a fraction without using place value. We can do this by counting the number of decimal places and using that number to create the denominator of the fraction.
Step 1: Count the number of decimal places in the number. In this case, there are three decimal places.
Step 2: Write the decimal as a fraction with a denominator of 1 followed by the same number of zeros as the number of decimal places. In this case, the denominator is 1000.
0.375 = 375/1000
Step 3: Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their GCF, which is 125.
375 ÷ 125 = 3 1000 ÷ 125 = 8
Step 4: Write the simplified fraction in lowest terms.
375/1000 = 3/8
Therefore, 0.375 as a fraction in lowest terms is 3/8.
In conclusion, 0.375 as a fraction can be written as 375/1000 or 3/8, which is the simplified form of the fraction.