What is 17.77142714271427142... as a Fraction?

17.77142 equals 35539319998 as a fraction.

How do you turn 17.77142 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 17.77142 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 17.77142 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 4 digits in the repeating block (7142) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (7). Multiply both sides by 10⁵ = 100000.

100000 × n = 1777142.7142 (equation 2)

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

100000 × n = 1777142.7142
    10 × n = 17.77142
 99990 × n = 1776965

177696599990 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 5 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 177696599990 = 1776965 ÷ 599990 ÷ 5 = 35539319998. So,

17.77142 = 35539319998 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 35539319998 is also equal to 171542719998 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 17.77142 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 4. It is also represented as 17.7714271427142... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 17.771427142714271427142 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 17.77142 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 355393 as the numerator and 19998 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.