2. Write the number as a proper fraction.
- 0.38 can be written as a proper fraction.
- A proper fraction = the numerator is smaller than the denominator..
Write down the number divided by 1, as a fraction:
0.38 = 0.38/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 100.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
0.38/1 =
(0.38 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
38/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
38/100
to the lowest terms, to its simplest equivalent form, irreducible.
To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Factor the numerator and denominator (prime factorization).
38 = 2 × 19
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 19; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
38/100 =
(2 × 19)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 19) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
19/(2 × 52) =
19/50