N Numeratibase

Free math tool

Decimal To Fraction Converter

Turn a terminating decimal into an exact reduced fraction and see the power-of-ten step that gets you there.

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0.375 2.5 -0.04

Direct answer

Exact fraction

2.5 is exactly 5/2.

Exact fraction 5/2
Mixed number 2 1/2
Decimal 2.5

Steps

  1. Start with 2.5.
  2. 2.5 has 1 digit(s) to the right of the decimal, so write it as 25/10.
  3. Reduce 25/10 to 5/2.

Why it works

A terminating decimal is always some whole number divided by a power of ten. Once it is written that way, you reduce the fraction exactly the same way as any other fraction.

Common mistakes

  • Using the wrong power of ten because you miscounted decimal places.
  • Treating repeating decimals as if they were terminating decimals.
  • Forgetting to reduce the fraction after writing it over a power of ten.

Worked examples

Convert 0.375

0.375 = 375/1000 = 3/8.

Convert 2.5

2.5 = 25/10 = 5/2, which is also 2 1/2.

Practice

  • 0.6
  • 1.125
  • 0.09