What is 7/10 expressed as a decimal?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The fraction 7/10 expressed as a decimal is 0.7.
To understand this conversion, consider the process of dividing the numerator by the denominator. Here, the numerator is 7, and the denominator is 10. Division involves determining how many times 10 can fit into 7, which gives the result of 0.7. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Setup the division: Place the fraction as a division problem, with 7 divided by 10.
- Perform the division: Since 10 does not go into 7 evenly, you introduce a decimal point. Now, instead of dividing 7 by 10, you are dividing 7.0 by 10, which gives 0.7.
- Result: The division results in 0.7, which means that 7/10 is equivalent to 0.7 in decimal form.
Decimals are a way to express fractions where the denominator is a power of 10. In this case, the denominator is 10, which makes it easy to convert directly to a decimal without further steps. For fractions with denominators that are not powers of 10, the conversion might involve long division or using a calculator.
Decimals are often used in real-life applications, such as in money or measurements, because they provide a more precise way to express values. For example, if you were calculating a 70% discount on an item priced at $10, 0.7 would represent 70% of $10, equaling $7.
Understanding how to convert fractions to decimals is an important skill in mathematics and is useful in various fields like science, economics, and everyday life. The simplicity of converting fractions like 7/10 highlights how decimals can simplify certain calculations.