What is 20.71212... as a Fraction?

20.712 equals 136766 as a fraction.

How do you turn 20.712 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 20.712 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 20.712 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (12) and 1 digit in the non-repeating part (7). Multiply both sides by 10³ = 1000.

1000 × n = 20712.12 (equation 2)

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

1000 × n = 20712.12
  10 × n = 20.712
 990 × n = 20505

20505990 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 15 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 20505990 = 20505 ÷ 15990 ÷ 15 = 136766. So,

20.712 = 136766 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 136766 is also equal to 204766 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 20.712 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 20.7121212... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 20.71212121212 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 20.712 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 1367 as the numerator and 66 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.