1.42 as a fraction

Daniel Parker

2 min read

·

01-03-2025

1

0

Share

Understanding how to convert decimals to fractions is a fundamental skill in mathematics. This article will guide you through the process of converting the decimal 1.42 into a fraction, explaining each step clearly and concisely. We'll also explore some related concepts and provide examples.

Understanding Decimals and Fractions

Before we begin, let's quickly review the basics. A decimal is a way of writing a number that is not a whole number, using a decimal point to separate the whole number part from the fractional part. A fraction, on the other hand, represents a part of a whole, expressed as a ratio of two numbers (numerator and denominator).

Converting 1.42 to a Fraction

Here's a step-by-step approach to converting 1.42 into its fractional equivalent:

Step 1: Write the decimal as a fraction over 1.

This is our starting point. We can write 1.42 as:

1.42/1

Step 2: Multiply the numerator and denominator by 100.

Since there are two digits after the decimal point (4 and 2), we multiply both the numerator and denominator by 100 to eliminate the decimal. This doesn't change the value of the fraction because multiplying both the top and bottom by the same number is equivalent to multiplying by 1.

(1.42 * 100) / (1 * 100) = 142/100

Step 3: Simplify the fraction.

Now, we simplify the fraction 142/100 by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator. The GCD of 142 and 100 is 2.

Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 2, we get:

142 ÷ 2 = 71 100 ÷ 2 = 50

Therefore, the simplified fraction is 71/50.

Checking Your Work

It's always a good idea to check your work. You can convert the fraction back to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator:

71 ÷ 50 = 1.42

This confirms that our conversion is correct.

Converting Other Decimals to Fractions

The method outlined above can be applied to convert any decimal to a fraction. The key is to multiply the numerator and denominator by a power of 10 (10, 100, 1000, etc.) that eliminates the decimal point, followed by simplification.

For example:

• 0.75: 75/100 (simplified to 3/4)
• 2.3: 23/10
• 0.05: 5/100 (simplified to 1/20)

Remember to always simplify the fraction to its lowest terms.

Conclusion

Converting 1.42 to a fraction involves a straightforward process: writing it as a fraction over 1, multiplying to remove the decimal, and then simplifying. The final answer, in its simplest form, is 71/50. This method can be applied to convert any decimal to a fraction. By understanding these steps, you'll gain a stronger grasp of number manipulation and conversions.