3 1/6 as a Decimal

Professor Greenline Explaining Math Concepts

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Intermediate

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It is a simple question on decimal conversion. Firstly, we have to learn mixed numbers and decimals. A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction. In 3 1/6, 3 is the whole number, and 1/6 is the fraction. A fraction represents a part of the whole and has two parts: the numerator (the number on top), which indicates how many parts of the whole we have, here 1; and the denominator (the number below), which shows how many parts make the whole, here 6. A decimal is a way to represent a number that is not whole, using a decimal point (.) to separate the whole part from the fractional part. The numbers to the left of the decimal point represent the whole part, and those to the right represent the fractional part.

What is 3 1/6 as a decimal?

$3 1/6 as a decimal$

Answer

3 1/6 in decimals can be written as 3.16666… It is a recurring decimal, indicating that the digit 6 repeats infinitely.

Explanation

To convert 3 1/6 into a decimal, we first convert the fraction 1/6 into a decimal. Let's see the step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Identify the numerator and denominator because the numerator (1) will be taken as the dividend and the denominator (6) will be the divisor.

Step 2: As 1 is smaller than 6, it can't be divided, so we will use the decimal method. We will add 0 to the dividend, making 1 as 10, and add a decimal point in the quotient place.

Step 3: Now that it is 10, we can divide it by 6. Let's see how many times 6 fits into 10.

Step 4: 10 is not a multiple of 6, so we take the nearest value, which is 6 × 1 = 6. We write 1 in the quotient place and subtract 6 from 10, resulting in 4.

Step 5: Bring down another 0 in the dividend place, making it 40, and continue the division process.

Step 6: 40 divided by 6 gives 6 with a remainder of 4. Repeat the process with another 0, and the pattern continues. So, 1/6 as a decimal is 0.1666…, making the mixed number 3 1/6 equal to 3.1666… as a decimal.

This process is called a recurring decimal.

Important Glossaries for 3 1/6 as a decimal

Mixed Number: A number consisting of a whole number and a fraction.
Fraction: A numerical quantity that is not a whole number, representing a part of a whole.
Decimal: A number that uses the base ten and includes a decimal point to separate the whole part from the fractional part.
Recurring Decimal: A decimal in which one or more digits repeat infinitely.
Numerator: The top part of a fraction, indicating how many parts of the whole are being considered.