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Last updated on March 3rd, 2025
It is a simple question on decimal conversion. Firstly, we have to learn fractions and decimals. A fraction represents a part from the whole. It has two parts, numerator (number on the top) here, 5 represents how many parts out of the whole. The denominator (number below) shows how many parts make the whole, here it is 3. A decimal is a way to represent the number that is not whole, using a (.) or a decimal to separate the whole part from the fraction part. The numbers to the left of the decimal point represent the whole, and that to the right represents the fractional part.
5/3 in decimals can be written as 1.66666….. It is a recurring decimal, showing it will repeat the same digit infinitely.
To get 5/3 in decimal, we will use the division method. Let's see the step-by-step breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Identify the numerator and denominator because the numerator (5) will be taken as the dividend and the denominator (3) will be taken as the divisor.
Step 2: As 5 is larger than 3, it can be divided. Divide 5 by 3, which gives 1 with a remainder. Add a decimal point in the quotient place and a zero to the dividend to continue the division.
Step 3: Now divide 20 by 3. Let's see how many times 3 makes 20.
Step 4: 20 is not a multiple of 3, so we will look for the nearest number that is 3 × 6 = 18. We will write 6 in the quotient place and subtract 18 from 20 gives 2.
Step 5: Bring down another 0 in the dividend place and make 2 as 20 and then repeat the division process. The division process continues, and we don't get the remainder as 0. This process is called a recurring decimal.
The answer for 5/3 as a decimal will be 1.6666……