What is 17.97142714271427142... as a Fraction?

17.97142 equals 179696399990 as a fraction.

How do you turn 17.97142 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 17.97142 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 17.97142 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 4 digits in the repeating block (7142) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (9). Multiply both sides by 10⁵ = 100000.

100000 × n = 1797142.7142 (equation 2)

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

100000 × n = 1797142.7142
    10 × n = 17.97142
 99990 × n = 1796963

n = 179696399990 (answer)

17.97142 = 179696399990 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 179696399990 is also equal to 179713399990 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 17.97142 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 4. It is also represented as 17.9714271427142... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 17.971427142714271427142 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 17.97142 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 1796963 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.