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Instructions for Converting Fractions

A fraction gives you valuable information when measuring an object or item. For example, if you know a glass is 3/4 full of water, you know a glass is mostly full of water. With some fractions, however, such as 24/75, converting it to a decimal value can make it easier to interpret and understand what the value means.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the fraction and determine which number is the numerator and which number is the denominator. The numerator is the top number of the fraction and the denominator is the bottom number of the fraction. In the example fraction 5/10, 5 is the numerator and 10 is the denominator.

    • 2

      Divide the numerator, the top number, by the denominator. In 5/10, you divide 5 by 10 to get 0.50. One-half or 0.50 is the decimal equivalent of the fraction 5/10. You can do this with any method that is easiest for you, such as using long division where you write the numerator inside a math symbol that looks like half of a box and the denominator to the left of that box. The answer, or quotient, is then calculated on top of the box using long division.

    • 3

      Use a calculator to check your work. To do this, type in the number "5," then the division symbol and then the numbers "1" and "0" to make 10. Hit the equals symbol to get the answer.

    • 4

      Go one step further to convert the decimal into a percentage: Multiply the decimal by 100. In the example, 0.5 times 100 equals 50, so 0.5 translates to 50 percent.

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