Converting 12.5 to a Fraction: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding how to convert decimals to fractions is a fundamental skill in mathematics. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to converting the decimal 12.5 into its fractional form. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the process and be able to apply it to similar problems.
What is 12.5 as a Fraction?
Converting the decimal 12.5 to a fraction involves a few straightforward steps. The process can be broken down into writing the decimal as a fraction, converting it to a whole number, simplifying the fraction, and checking the result. Let's explore these steps in detail.
Step 1: Write it as a Fraction
First, write the decimal 12.5 as a fraction with 100 in the denominator. This is because 12.5 can be expressed as 125/100, with 125 in the numerator and 100 in the denominator.
12.5 12.5/100
Step 2: Convert to a Whole Number
To eliminate the decimal and simplify the fraction, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 10. This step transforms 125/100 into 1250/1000.
12.5 12.5/100
(12.5 × 10)/(100 × 10) 125/1000
Step 3: Simplify the Fraction
The final step in the conversion process is to simplify the fraction. Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 125 and 1000, which is 125. Then, divide both the numerator and the denominator by the GCD.
125/1000 (125 ÷ 125)/(1000 ÷ 125) 1/8
Therefore, 12.5 as a fraction is 1/8.
Additional Examples:
Here are some additional examples of decimal numbers converted to their fractional forms:
12.5 12.5/100 25 1/4 37.5 3/8 50 1/2 62.5 5/8 75 3/4 87.5 7/8Further Simplifications:
In addition to the 12.5 1/8 conversion, the decimal 12.5 can also be expressed as:
12.5 12 1/2 12.5 25/2 (improper fraction) 12.5 12 1/2 (mixed fraction)Conclusion:
Converting decimals like 12.5 to fractions is a valuable skill in mathematics. The process is relatively simple and involves a few basic arithmetic steps. Whether you prefer the fraction 1/8, the improper fraction 25/2, or the mixed fraction 12 1/2, you now have the knowledge to handle similar conversions with ease.