What is 18.53888... as a Fraction?

18.538 equals 3337180 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 is 1 digit in the repeating block (8) and 2 digits in the non-repeating part (53). Multiply both sides by 10³ = 1000.

1000 × n = 18538.8 (equation 2)

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

1000 × n = 18538.8
 100 × n = 18.538
 900 × n = 16685

16685900 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 = 16685900 = 16685 ÷ 5900 ÷ 5 = 3337180. So,

18.538 = 3337180 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 3337180 is also equal to 1897180 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 18.538 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 1. It is also represented as 18.53888... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 18.5388888 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 18.538 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 3337 as the numerator and 180 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.