What is 18.53838... as a Fraction?

18.538 equals 18353990 as a fraction.

How do you turn 18.538 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 18.538 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 18.538 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (38) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (5). Multiply both sides by 10³ = 1000.

1000 × n = 18538.38 (equation 2)

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

1000 × n = 18538.38
  10 × n = 18.538
 990 × n = 18353

n = 18353990 (answer)

18.538 = 18353990 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 18353990 is also equal to 18533990 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 18.538 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 18.5383838... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 18.53838383838 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 18.538 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 18353 as the numerator and 990 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.