Chapter 10: Problem 25
Express each of the numbers in Exercises \(19-26\) as the ratio of two integers. $$1.24 \overline{123}=1.24123123123 \ldots$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The number is \( \frac{1240}{999} \).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Repeating Decimal
Let \( x = 1.24\overline{123} \), which means \( x = 1.24123123123\ldots \). This is a repeating decimal where the block "123" repeats indefinitely.
02
Multiply to Eliminate the Repeat
First, identify the length of the repeating block, which is 3 digits. Multiply \( x \) by \( 10^3 = 1000 \) to shift the repeating decimal to the right: \( 1000x = 1241.23123123\ldots \).
03
Subtract to Isolate the Decimal Part
Set up an equation by subtracting \( x \) from \( 1000x \): \[1000x - x = 1241.23123123\ldots - 1.24123123\ldots\]This gives: \[999x = 1241 - 1\]which simplifies to \( 999x = 1240 \).
04
Solve for x
Divide by 999 to find \( x \):\[x = \frac{1240}{999}\]
05
Simplify the Ratio if Possible
Check if 1240 and 999 can be reduced. Calculate the greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 1 for this pair, hence \( \frac{1240}{999} \) is already in its simplest form.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Ratio of Integers
A repeating decimal like \(1.24\overline{123}\) can be expressed as a ratio of two integers, which means writing it as a fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\), where both \(a\) and \(b\) are whole numbers. This ratio is a way of representing the repeating decimal in a simpler, more manageable form. Here's how we do it:
- Start by defining the repeating decimal with a variable, such as \(x\). For this example, let \(x = 1.24\overline{123}\).
- The goal is to eliminate the repeating part by leveraging the nature of base-10 numbers — specifically, multiplying \(x\) by a power of 10 that matches the length of the repeating sequence.
Conversion of Decimals
Converting a repeating decimal to a fraction involves a bit of mathematical trickery. The key is manipulating the number so the repeating cycle becomes apparent. Here’s the method:
- Identify the decimal part that repeats. In the number \(1.24\overline{123}\), the sequence \(123\) repeats endlessly.
- Once identified, multiply the whole number by an appropriate power of ten to shift this repeating part to the right of the decimal point. For \(x = 1.24\overline{123}\), we multiply by 1000 (\(10^3\)) because the repeating block has 3 digits: \(1000x = 1241.23123123...\).
Simplifying Fractions
Simplifying fractions makes them easier to work with and understand. Once we have our fraction from the repeating decimal, in this case \(\frac{1240}{999}\), we check whether it can be reduced further.
- The goal is to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (1240) and the denominator (999).
- If the GCD is greater than 1, divide both terms by this number to simplify the fraction.
- However, in this example, the GCD is 1, meaning \(\frac{1240}{999}\) is already in its simplest form since no smaller numbers can equally divide both terms.