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How to Explore Decimal Patterns in Division

A rational number is a number that can be expressed as a fraction using only integers in the numerator and denominator. For example, 11/12, 23 and -34 are rational numbers, while pi (3.151592...) is not. When expressed as decimals, rational numbers are either terminating decimals, which have an ending digit, or repeating decimals, which have a periodic portion that repeats forever. For example, 1/2 and 3/4 are terminating decimals (0.5 and 0.75, respectively) and 1/3 and 1/6 are repeating decimals (0.3333333.... and 0.16666666..., respectively). You can convert repeating decimals to fractions easily.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a positive integer.

    • 2

      Divide the integer by a denominator that contains as many 9s as there are digits in the numerator. For example, if you pick 330, the fraction would be 330/999. The answer will be a repeating decimal (in this case, 0.330330330...). This pattern holds true for any integer.

    • 3

      Reduce the fraction. Divide the numerator and denominator by any factor that goes into both and leaves no remainder (common denominator). For example, 330/999 reduces to 110/333 because 3 goes into both 330 and 999 evenly.

    • 4

      Divide the reduced fraction. In the example, 110/333 gives a quotient of 0.330330330. The number is the same as the decimal in Step 2 because the reduced fraction is equal to the original fraction.

    • 5

      Apply the principle in reverse. Begin with a fraction with only 9s in the denominator, for example, 124/999. Determine its decimal equivalent: 0.124124124... .

    • 6

      Begin with a fraction with a factor of 9, 99 or 999 in the denominator. For example, 123/333. Predict its decimal equivalent, 0.369369369... . "Un-reduce" the fraction to 369/999 to get the answer.

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