What is 1 3/8 as a decimal
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To convert the mixed number ( 1 \frac{3}{8} ) into a decimal, we first break it down into its whole number and fractional components. The whole number part is ( 1 ), and the fractional part is ( \frac{3}{8} ).
- Convert the Fraction to Decimal:
To convert the fraction ( \frac{3}{8} ) to a decimal, we divide the numerator by the denominator. So, we calculate:
[
3 \div 8 = 0.375
] - Combine the Whole Number and Decimal:
Now that we have the decimal equivalent of the fraction, we can add this to the whole number part:
[
1 + 0.375 = 1.375
]
Thus, the decimal equivalent of ( 1 \frac{3}{8} ) is ( 1.375 ).
Explanation
Understanding how to convert mixed numbers to decimals is important in various fields such as mathematics, engineering, and everyday life. Mixed numbers consist of a whole number and a fraction, and they can be represented in decimal form, which can be easier to work with for calculations, especially in contexts like measurements or financial calculations.
The first step in this process involves converting the fractional part into a decimal. The fraction ( \frac{3}{8} ) represents a part of a whole, where the numerator (3) indicates how many parts we have, and the denominator (8) indicates how many equal parts the whole is divided into. By performing the division ( 3 \div 8 ), we find the decimal equivalent of this fraction.
After converting the fraction, we then simply add it to the whole number. This straightforward process of converting fractions to decimals can be applied to any mixed number. It is particularly useful when adding, subtracting, or comparing values in decimal format, as decimals are often more intuitive and easier to manipulate than fractions in calculations.