What is 17.137272... as a Fraction?

17.1372 equals 188511100 as a fraction.

How do you turn 17.1372 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 17.1372 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 17.1372 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (72) and 2 digits in the non-repeating part (13). Multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 171372.72 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 171372.72
  100 × n = 17.1372
 9900 × n = 169659

1696599900 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 9 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 1696599900 = 169659 ÷ 99900 ÷ 9 = 188511100. So,

17.1372 = 188511100 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 188511100 is also equal to 171511100 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 17.1372 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 17.13727272... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 17.137272727272 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 17.1372 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 18851 as the numerator and 1100 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.