Math 7 · Unit 3, Lesson 6: Fractions to Decimals · Tile 1 of 3
Divide It Out
The top goes inside
The top goes inside
Remember, the fraction bar means divide. So 38 means 3 ÷ 8. The top number, the numerator, goes inside the long division bracket. The bottom number, the denominator, goes outside. 8 doesn't go into 3, so write a decimal point and some zeros after the 3 and keep going.
- 30 ÷ 8 is 3, remainder 6.
- 60 ÷ 8 is 7, remainder 4.
- 40 ÷ 8 is 5, remainder 0.
- The remainder is 0, so the decimal stops: 0.375.
Words we use
| Elle (math-speak) | Finn (plain English) |
|---|---|
| Terminating decimal | A decimal that stops. Terminate means to end, like the last stop on a train line. |
Elle and Finn
ElleMath-speak
To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. When the remainder is zero, the decimal terminates.
FinnPlain English
Top inside, bottom outside, then divide. If you get a remainder of zero, you're done.
A negative fraction? The sign comes along for the ride, the same as Lesson 5: −38 = −0.375.
Watch it work
38 becomes 3 ÷ 8 becomes 0.375720 becomes 7 ÷ 20 becomes 0.35−516 becomes Sign: negative. 5 ÷ 16 becomes −0.3125
NC standard: NC.7.NS.2.
Where to go next
Let me try a few6 problems on divide it out.
Next: Tile 2, Decimals That RepeatWhen the remainders start over
All tilesAll 3 parts of this lesson.
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