What is 13.8857142857142857142857142857142857142... as a Fraction?

13.8857142 equals 48635 as a fraction.

How do you turn 13.8857142 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 13.8857142 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 13.8857142 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 6 digits in the repeating block (857142) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (8). Multiply both sides by 10⁷ = 10000000.

10000000 × n = 138857142.857142 (equation 2)

Step 3: Now subtract equation 1 from equation 2 to cancel the repeating block (or repetend) out.

10000000 × n = 138857142.857142
      10 × n = 13.8857142
 9999990 × n = 138857004

1388570049999990 could be the answer, but it still can be put in the simplest form, i.e., reduced.

To simplify this fraction, divide the numerator and denominator by 285714 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 1388570049999990 = 138857004 ÷ 2857149999990 ÷ 285714 = 48635. So,

13.8857142 = 48635 as the lowest possible fraction.

As the numerator is greater than the denominator, we have an improper fraction, so we can also express it as a mixed number, thus 48635 is also equal to 133135 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 13.8857142 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 6. It is also represented as 13.8857142857142857142... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 13.8857142857142857142857142857142 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 13.8857142 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 486 as the numerator and 35 as the denominator. So, it is a rational number (named after ratio). It can be shown that a number is rational if its decimal representation is repeating or terminating.

(*) At present, there is no single universally accepted notation or phrasing for repeating decimals.