Understanding Decimals

Decimals are a way to represent fractions and parts of whole numbers using a decimal point. They are used in everyday life, such as in money, measurements, and more.

What is a Decimal?

A decimal is a number that has a whole part and a fractional part, separated by a decimal point. For example, in the number 3.45:

• Whole part: 3
• Fractional part: 0.45

Place Value

Each position after the decimal point represents a power of ten:

• The first digit after the decimal represents tenths ($\frac{1}{10}$)
• The second digit represents hundredths ($\frac{1}{100}$)
• The third digit represents thousandths ($\frac{1}{1000}$)

For example, in the decimal 0.678:

• 6 is in the tenths place
• 7 is in the hundredths place
• 8 is in the thousandths place

Converting fractions to Decimals

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. For example:

$$\frac{3}{4} = 0.75$$

Key Questions

• What is the difference between a whole number and a decimal?
• How do you identify the place value of digits in a decimal?
• How can you convert a fraction into a decimal?

Practice Example

Convert the fraction $\frac{5}{8}$ to a decimal:

1. Divide 5 by 8.
2. $5 \div 8 = 0.625$
   Thus, $\frac{5}{8}$ as a decimal is 0.625.

Summary

Understanding decimals is essential for various mathematical concepts and real-world applications. Remember the place values and how to convert between fractions and decimals.