What is 17.37142714271427142... as a Fraction?

17.37142 equals 173696999990 as a fraction.

How do you turn 17.37142 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 17.37142 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 17.37142 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 4 digits in the repeating block (7142) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (3). Multiply both sides by 10⁵ = 100000.

100000 × n = 1737142.7142 (equation 2)

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

100000 × n = 1737142.7142
    10 × n = 17.37142
 99990 × n = 1736969

n = 173696999990 (answer)

17.37142 = 173696999990 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 173696999990 is also equal to 173713999990 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 17.37142 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 4. It is also represented as 17.3714271427142... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 17.371427142714271427142 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 17.37142 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 1736969 as the numerator and 99990 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.