Last updated on May 26th, 2025
It is a simple question on decimal conversion. Firstly, we have to learn fractions and decimals. A fraction represents a part of the whole. It has two parts: the numerator (number on the top) here, 5, which represents how many parts out of the whole. The denominator (number below) shows how many parts make the whole; here, it is 8. 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, and those to the right represent the fractional part.
-5/8 in decimals can be written as -0.625. It is a terminating decimal, meaning it does not repeat infinitely.
To get -5/8 in decimal, we will use the division method. Here, as 5 is smaller than 8, we will take help of the decimal method, which will give us -0.625. 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 (8) will be taken as the divisor.
Step 2: As 5 is smaller than 8, it can't be divided. Here we will take the help of decimals. We will add 0 to the dividend, which will make 5 as 50, and add a decimal point in the quotient place.
Step 3: Now that it is 50, we can divide it by 8. Let's see how many times 8 makes 50.
Step 4: 50 is not a multiple of 8, so we will look for the nearest number that is 8 × 6 = 48. We will write 6 in the quotient place and subtract 48 from 50 gives 2.
Step 5: Bring down another 0 in the dividend place and make 2 as 20 and then repeat the division process.
Step 6: 20 is not a multiple of 8, but it is greater than 8 × 2 = 16. Write 2 in the quotient place. Subtract 16 from 20 gives 4.
Step 7: Bring down another 0, making it 40. Now divide by 8. 8 × 5 = 40. Write 5 in the quotient place. Subtract 40 from 40 gives 0, ending the division process. The division process terminates here.
The answer for -5/8 as a decimal will be -0.625.