Convert 2 /5 to a decimal.
The correct answer and explanation is:
To convert the fraction 2/5 to a decimal, simply divide the numerator (2) by the denominator (5).
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Set up the division:
You want to divide 2 by 5. - Perform the division:
5 goes into 2 zero times, so you add a decimal point and a zero to the right of the 2, making it 20.
Now, divide 20 by 5. - Divide 20 by 5:
5 goes into 20 exactly 4 times. This means the division results in 0.4.
So, 2/5 as a decimal is 0.4.
Explanation:
When you divide fractions, the result is a decimal if the division process does not result in a whole number. Converting fractions to decimals is a helpful skill in everyday math and can be especially useful when working with money, measurements, or when performing calculations in fields like science and engineering. The process can be applied to any fraction, but the complexity can increase with fractions that do not divide evenly. For example, 1/3 results in a repeating decimal of 0.3333…, while fractions like 2/5 yield a finite decimal.
In terms of understanding decimal places, each position after the decimal point represents a fraction of 10, 100, 1000, and so on. The number 0.4 means 4 tenths, or 4/10, which is equivalent to 2/5 when expressed as a fraction. Thus, decimals and fractions are two ways to express the same value, and being able to switch between them is a crucial skill in mathematics.