-2 1/2 as a Decimal

Answer

-2 1/2 in decimals can be written as -2.5.

Explanation

To convert -2 1/2 into a decimal, we first understand that it is a mixed number. The whole number here is -2, and the fractional part is 1/2. Let's convert the fractional part into a decimal and then combine it with the whole number.

Step 1: Identify the fractional part, which is 1/2. To convert 1/2 into a decimal, we divide the numerator by the denominator.

Step 2: Divide 1 by 2. Since 1 is smaller than 2, we use decimals to help us.

Step 3: Add a decimal point and a zero to make it 10. Now divide 10 by 2.

Step 4: 2 goes into 10 five times (2 × 5 = 10), so we write 5 in the decimal place.

Step 5: The division gives us 0.5 for the fractional part.

Step 6: Combine the whole number -2 with the fractional decimal 0.5 to get -2.5.

Therefore, the answer for -2 1/2 as a decimal is -2.5.

• Fraction: A numerical quantity that is not a whole number, representing a part of a whole.

• Mixed Number: A number consisting of a whole number and a fraction.

• Decimal: A number that uses the base ten and includes a decimal point to separate the whole part from the fractional part.

• Numerator: The top part of a fraction, indicating how many parts of the whole are being considered.

• Denominator: The bottom part of a fraction, showing how many parts make up a whole.