What is 5.124242... as a Fraction?

5.1242 equals 1691330 as a fraction.

How do you turn 5.1242 repeating into a fraction?

Detailed Answer:

Step 1: To convert 5.1242 repeating into a fraction, begin writing this simple equation:

n = 5.1242 (equation 1)

Step 2: Notice that there are 2 digits in the repeating block (42) and 2 digits in the non-repeating part (12). Multiply both sides by 10⁴ = 10000.

10000 × n = 51242.42 (equation 2)

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

10000 × n = 51242.42
  100 × n = 5.1242
 9900 × n = 50730

507309900 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 30 (the GCF - greatest common factor).

n = 507309900 = 50730 ÷ 309900 ÷ 30 = 1691330. So,

5.1242 = 1691330 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 1691330 is also equal to 541330 when expressed as a mixed number.

The repeating decimal 5.1242 (vinculum notation) has a repeated block length of 2. It is also represented as 5.12424242... (ellipsis notation) which equals approximately 5.124242424242 (decimal approximation)(*).

The recurring decimal 5.1242 can be written as a ratio of two integers having 1691 as the numerator and 330 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.