What is 20.5714257142571425714257142... as a Fraction?

20.57142 equals 205712299999 as a fraction.

How do you turn 20.57142 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 20.57142 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 20.57142 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 5 digits in the repeating block (57142), so multiply both sides by 10⁵ = 100000.

100000 × n = 2057142.57142 (equation 2)

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

100000 × n = 2057142.57142
     1 × n = 20.57142
 99999 × n = 2057122

n = 205712299999 (answer)

20.57142 = 205712299999 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 205712299999 is also equal to 205714299999 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 20.57142 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 5. It is also represented as 20.571425714257142... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 20.5714257142571425714257142 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 20.57142 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 2057122 as the numerator and 99999 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.