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Last updated on March 13th, 2025
This is a straightforward question about decimal conversion. First, we need to understand fractions and decimals. A fraction represents a part of a whole, consisting of a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number). In a mixed number like -3 1/2, we have a whole number (-3) and a fraction (1/2). A decimal represents 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, and those to the right represent the fractional part.
-3 1/2 as a decimal is -3.5.
To convert -3 1/2 into a decimal, follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the whole number and the fraction. Here, the whole number is -3, and the fraction is 1/2.
Step 2: Convert the fraction 1/2 into a decimal. The fraction 1/2 is equal to 0.5. This is because 1 divided by 2 equals 0.5.
Step 3: Combine the whole number with the decimal fraction. So, -3 plus 0.5 equals -3.5.
Therefore, -3 1/2 as a decimal is -3.5.