This can be considered as a very popular question among a lot of kids who study in primary school. Questions related to the conversion of a decimal number into its corresponding fraction are frequently observed in the homeworks, assignments, as well as examinations of these kids. Here, we will discuss how to write 0.3125 as a fraction. The process that needs to be followed in order to accomplish such conversions is indeed very simple and anybody can do it correctly with much ease. But still, the small children might get disturbed when they are asked to solve such conversions. They might not find the much needed confidence to solve such questions. At other times, they might make silly errors while solving such questions. Such errors can considerably deviate them from the correct answer and during examinations, it can make them lose marks as well. Thus, it is highly recommended that the teachers give special attention to these children while explaining such sums. They should try to instill a clear concept in the minds of these children. This will help them in confidently solving such sums without making any mistakes. We will begin our discussion with a detailed overview of the steps that should be followed in order to carry out this conversion. Then, we will wind up our discussion with some important points that should be kept in mind while dealing with such questions.
Removal of Decimal Point
In order to write 0.3125 as a fraction, the first thing that we have to do is the removal of the decimal point. In order to accomplish this task, we have to put zeros after one in the denominator. Now, simply adding zeros will not help you to remove the decimal point accurately. You have to keep in mind that the number of zeros that you have to add after one in the denominator must be equal to the number of decimal places that is present in the given decimal number. Most of us might already have a clear and concise idea regarding what the decimal point is and how to determine the number of decimal places. But still, there might be several kids out there, who find it extremely difficult to carry out this particular step. Now, as we can see, there are numbers present both towards the right as well as the left of the decimal point. In order to count the number of decimal places present in a given decimal number, we need to count the places towards the right of the decimal point. Counting the places towards the left of the decimal point will not help you in removing the decimal point accurately. So, in this case, as we can see, the given decimal number is 0.3125. Here, to determine the number of decimal places, we need to carefully count the numbers present towards the right of the decimal point. As we can see, in this case, there are four decimal places. In other words, we have to add four zeros after one in the denominator and hence, the denominator will be 10000. Thus, our fraction will be 3125/10000 and this fraction is not present in its simplest form.
Writing 0.3125 as a fraction
After removing the decimal point from the given decimal number, we have got the fraction 3125/10000. But as we have already mentioned, this fraction is not present in its simplest form and hence, we cannot consider it as the required answer to the given question. So, we need to carry out some more work to derive the required answer. To convert a fraction into its simplest form, we have to divide both its numerator as well as the denominator by the same number. In this case, let's divide the numerator as well as the denominator of this fraction by 5. After the initial round of division, we will get the fraction 625/2000. This fraction is not present in its simplest form and hence, we need to continue with the process of dividing the numerator and the denominator by 5. After the second round of division, we will arrive at the fraction 125/400. As we can see, we have not yet arrived at a fraction that is present in its simplest form. So, we need to go on with the process of division. This will give us the fraction 25/80, but this is also not present in its simplest form and hence, we need to continue our division process. This will finally take us to the fraction 5/16 which is a fraction in its simplest form. As we can see, arriving at a fraction in its simplest form was not that easy in this case and we had to perform several rounds of division in order to arrive at the correct answer, that is, 5/16.
Important Points
There are a number of vital points that should be kept in mind while carrying out these conversion processes. These points are very important in order to write 0.3125 as a fraction as well as to carry out all other similar conversions.
Conclusion
We have discussed the process that should be followed in order to write 0.3125 as a fraction. As we can see, the correct answer to this conversion is 5/16. In order to correctly answer these questions, the children should properly follow the two steps that are discussed above. They should also try to keep the important points in mind as it will help them to deal with these conversions confidently.
