What is 5.2 as a fraction?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to convert the decimal 5.2 into a fraction. This involves expressing the number as a fraction form, identifying the whole number and the decimal part.
Answer
The decimal 5.2 as a fraction is $\frac{26}{5}$.
Answer for screen readers
The decimal 5.2 as a fraction is $\frac{26}{5}$.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the whole number and decimal part
The decimal 5.2 can be split into its whole number part and its decimal part. The whole number part is 5 and the decimal part is 0.2.
- Convert the decimal part into a fraction
To convert the decimal part 0.2 into a fraction, recognize that 0.2 is equal to $\frac{2}{10}$.
- Simplify the fraction
Now, simplify $\frac{2}{10}$. Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.
$$ \frac{2 \div 2}{10 \div 2} = \frac{1}{5} $$
- Combine the whole number and the fraction
Now, combine the whole number with the simplified fraction. We can express the whole number 5 as a fraction:
$$ 5 = \frac{5}{1} $$
So we have:
$$ \frac{5}{1} + \frac{1}{5} $$
- Find a common denominator
The common denominator for these two fractions is 5. Rewrite the first fraction $\frac{5}{1}$ as $\frac{25}{5}$:
$$ \frac{25}{5} + \frac{1}{5} $$
- Add the fractions together
Now add the two fractions:
$$ \frac{25 + 1}{5} = \frac{26}{5} $$
The decimal 5.2 as a fraction is $\frac{26}{5}$.
More Information
Converting decimals to fractions is a common practice in mathematics. The fraction $\frac{26}{5}$ can also be interpreted as a mixed number: $5 \frac{1}{5}$.
Tips
- Not simplifying the decimal part correctly, which may lead to incorrect fractions.
- Forgetting to find a common denominator before adding the whole number and the fraction.