Chapter 2: Problem 12
In \(8-12,\) write each rational number as a repeating decimal. $$ \frac{7}{8} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{7}{8} = 0.875 \) (terminating decimal)
Step by step solution
01
Set Up the Division
To convert the fraction \( \frac{7}{8} \) into a decimal, we need to divide 7 by 8. Set up the long division with 7 as the dividend and 8 as the divisor.
02
Perform Long Division
Begin the division. Since 8 does not go into 7, we check how many times it goes into 70. Divide 70 by 8 to get 8, since 8 times 8 is 64, which is the nearest lower multiple of 8 to 70. Subtract 64 from 70 to get 6. Bring down 0 to make it 60.
03
Continue the Division
Repeat the process with 60. Divide 60 by 8, which gives 7, as 8 times 7 is 56. Subtract 56 from 60, leaving 4. Bring down another 0 to make it 40.
04
Finalize the Division
Divide 40 by 8, resulting in 5, since 8 times 5 is 40. Subtract 40 from 40 to finish at 0. This means the division is complete.
05
Write the Decimal
Since our division ends, we conclude the decimal representation of \( \frac{7}{8} \) is \( 0.875 \). There are no more remainders, so it is a terminating decimal as opposed to a repeating decimal.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Long Division
Long division is a technique used to divide large numbers by breaking down a division problem into a series of simpler steps. It's like a step-by-step process of finding out how many times a divisor fits into the dividend. Here’s how long division can be simplified:
- Take the dividend (the number you're dividing, in this case, 7) and the divisor (the number you’re dividing by, here it's 8).
- Since 8 doesn't go into 7, we look at 70 as a whole — multiply integers that bring us closest without exceeding.
- 8 fits into 70 a total of 8 times since 8 times 8 is 64.
- With this, we know our first digit in the quotient — the beginning of our answer.
Terminating Decimal
A terminating decimal is a decimal that comes to an end, as opposed to continuing infinitely. You know you've got a terminating decimal when you completely finish dividing, and no numbers or remainders are left. Here's why it’s significant:
- When you divide a number and no remainers are left, the decimal "ends."
- In this exercise, dividing 7 by 8 ends with 0.875, a clear example of a terminating decimal.
- Terminating decimals are precise and are often easier to work with compared to repeating ones.
- When the denominator, in this case 8, can be factored down into powers of 10 (such as 2 and 5), the decimal terminates since 10 is the base of our number system.
Fraction to Decimal Conversion
Converting a fraction into a decimal is a valuable mathematical process, and knowing how to do it can make numbers easier to work with. Here’s a straightforward approach:
- Set up the fraction as a division problem — the numerator (top number) divided by the denominator (bottom number).
- Perform long division. Keep dividing until you find that the division stops naturally, or it might become a pattern if repeating.
- For the fraction \(\frac{7}{8}\), the result of long division equals 0.875, transforming 7 divided by 8 from a fraction into a decimal.
- If you complete a division without any repeat, you have a terminating decimal.
- If numbers begin to repeat, it becomes a repeating decimal.
- This conversion is pivotal. It aids in understanding and comparing fractions in a simpler decimal form.