What is 20.8571857185718571... as a Fraction?

20.8571 equals 695173333 as a fraction.

How do you turn 20.8571 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 20.8571 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 20.8571 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 4 digits in the repeating block (8571), so multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 208571.8571 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 208571.8571
    1 × n = 20.8571
 9999 × n = 208551

2085519999 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 3 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 2085519999 = 208551 ÷ 39999 ÷ 3 = 695173333. So,

20.8571 = 695173333 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 695173333 is also equal to 2028573333 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 20.8571 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 4. It is also represented as 20.857185718571... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 20.85718571857185718571 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 20.8571 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 69517 as the numerator and 3333 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.