What is 18.143838... as a Fraction?

18.1438 equals 449062475 as a fraction.

How do you turn 18.1438 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 18.1438 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 18.1438 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (38) and 2 digits in the non-repeating part (14). Multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 181438.38 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 181438.38
  100 × n = 18.1438
 9900 × n = 179624

1796249900 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 4 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 1796249900 = 179624 ÷ 49900 ÷ 4 = 449062475. So,

18.1438 = 449062475 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 449062475 is also equal to 183562475 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 18.1438 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 18.14383838... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 18.143838383838 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 18.1438 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 44906 as the numerator and 2475 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.