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How to convert a recurring decimal into fraction

Firstly, we need to define what a recurring decimal and a fraction are. 


A fraction is an expression in which a number is being divided by another number. The number at the top is called the numerator and the one at the bottom is called the denominator, for example ⅔.


A recurring decimal is a decimal representation of a number whose digits are repeating its values at regular intervals infinitely.



For example:


0.444444 is a recurring decimal.


Now there are also types of recurring decimal, thus making the conversion to fraction slightly different for each type.


Type 1:


0.5555555….


Step 1: Let x = recurring decimal in expanded form.


 x = 0.5555555….


Step 2: Let the number of recurring digits = n.


Number of recurring digits in our case equals 1.


Step 3: Multiply recurring decimal by 10^n.


10^n = 10 in our case because n=1.


Hence, 10x= 10 × 0.55555555…

                  = 5.55555….


Step 4: Subtract  Step 1 from  Step 3 to eliminate the recurring part and solve for x.


10x - x = 5.5555 - 0.5555

       9x = 5

         x = 5/9 


Type 2:


0.1515151515….


Step 1: Let x = recurring decimal in expanded form.


 x = 0.15151515….


Step 2: Let the number of recurring digits = n.


Number of recurring digits in our case equals 2.


Step 3: Multiply recurring decimal by 10^n.


10^n = 100 in our case because n=2.


Hence, 100x= 100 × 0.15151515…

                  = 15.151515….


Step 4: Subtract  Step 1 from  Step 3 to eliminate the recurring part and solve for x.


100x - x = 15.151515 - 0.151515

       98x = 15

         x = 15/99


As the number of recurring numbers would increase the value of n would increase simultaneously.

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