How do you convert a fraction into a decimal?!

[ukgirlatheart]

DS homework is to convert fractions into decimals, something they havent done in class before...I just cant get my head around it

Some of the sums have whole numbers in so eg. 1 5/8

Anyone explain how to do this please in simplist terms so I can convey to DS

The 1 is a whole number so stays as it is.
Then its 5 divided by 8.
That's your answer.
I haven't got a calculator but it'll be something like 1.3 or whatever complete guess

I mean complete guess as the actual answer. Not the method I just couldn't be bothered to work the numbers out properly

1.625

So 5 divided by 8 doesnt go so you make it 50???

yes. 0.625. You could tell them about .1 being 1/10, .25 = 1/4, .5 = 1/2 etc.

or you could do 13/8 as an improper fraction then divide and get the same answer. 1.625

0.1.....the 1 is actually over 10.

0.25 ...the 25 is actually over 100...so 25/100 is the same as 1/4

5/8 - 5 divided by 8.

Tbh, there are a list of decimals it's just worth learning.

Bit crap to have it as homework if they haven't covered it before!

Check out BBC Bitesize KS2 - there will be a lesson on there.

You can either do 1 + (5÷8), or 13÷8

If you want to do it step by step:
5÷2=2.5
2.5÷2= 1.25 (5÷4)
1.25÷2=0.625 (5÷8)

0.625 + 1= 1.625

www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/fractions-pre-alg/decimals-fractions-pre-alg/v/converting-fractions-to-decimals

irvine - this is brill

You may have already found it, but start from here might be better.

www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/fractions-pre-alg/decimals-fractions-pre-alg/v/converting-fractions-to-decimals-example