What is 17.2428428428... as a Fraction?

17.2428 equals 861284995 as a fraction.

How do you turn 17.2428 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 17.2428 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 17.2428 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 3 digits in the repeating block (428) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (2). Multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 172428.428 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 172428.428
   10 × n = 17.2428
 9990 × n = 172256

1722569990 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 = 1722569990 = 172256 ÷ 29990 ÷ 2 = 861284995. So,

17.2428 = 861284995 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 861284995 is also equal to 1712134995 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 17.2428 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 3. It is also represented as 17.2428428428... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 17.2428428428428428 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 17.2428 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 86128 as the numerator and 4995 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.