What is 15.297171... as a Fraction?

15.2971 equals 757214950 as a fraction.

How do you turn 15.2971 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 15.2971 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 15.2971 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (71) and 2 digits in the non-repeating part (29). Multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 152971.71 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 152971.71
  100 × n = 15.2971
 9900 × n = 151442

1514429900 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 2 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 1514429900 = 151442 ÷ 29900 ÷ 2 = 757214950. So,

15.2971 = 757214950 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 757214950 is also equal to 1514714950 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 15.2971 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 15.29717171... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 15.297171717171 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 15.2971 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 75721 as the numerator and 4950 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.