Math Problem Statement

Question 4    –    4 marks

You should be able to answer this question after studying Unit 10.

Find a fraction equivalent to the recurring decimal

0*.*513 251 325 132 . . . .                                                                                            [4]  

Solution

To find a fraction equivalent to the recurring decimal 0.5132513251320.\overline{513251325132}, let's go through the steps systematically.

Step 1: Express the recurring decimal

Let x=0.513251325132x = 0.\overline{513251325132}. This means that xx is a decimal that repeats every 12 digits.

Step 2: Multiply by a power of 10

To eliminate the repeating part, we multiply xx by 101210^{12} because there are 12 digits in the repeating sequence.

1012x=513251325132.51325132513210^{12}x = 513251325132.\overline{513251325132}

Step 3: Subtract the original equation from the new equation

Now, subtract the original equation x=0.513251325132x = 0.\overline{513251325132} from the new equation:

1012xx=513251325132.5132513251320.51325132513210^{12}x - x = 513251325132.\overline{513251325132} - 0.\overline{513251325132}

This simplifies to:

(10121)x=513251325132(10^{12} - 1)x = 513251325132

999999999999x=513251325132999999999999x = 513251325132

Step 4: Solve for xx

x=513251325132999999999999x = \frac{513251325132}{999999999999}

Step 5: Simplify the fraction

To simplify the fraction, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator.

Let's calculate the GCD and simplify the fraction:

GCD(513251325132,999999999999)=3\text{GCD}(513251325132, 999999999999) = 3

Dividing the numerator and the denominator by the GCD:

x=513251325132÷3999999999999÷3=171083775044333333333333x = \frac{513251325132 \div 3}{999999999999 \div 3} = \frac{171083775044}{333333333333}

Thus, the fraction equivalent to the recurring decimal 0.5132513251320.\overline{513251325132} is:

171083775044333333333333\boxed{\frac{171083775044}{333333333333}}

Would you like to see the detailed process of finding the GCD, or do you have any other questions?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you convert a recurring decimal with a different number of repeating digits to a fraction?
  2. What is the decimal representation of a fraction like 17\frac{1}{7}?
  3. How can you determine if a fraction will result in a terminating or recurring decimal?
  4. What is the procedure for converting a mixed recurring decimal to a fraction?
  5. Can all repeating decimals be represented as fractions?

Tip: Understanding how to convert recurring decimals to fractions is helpful when you need to represent infinite decimals in a finite form.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Recurring Decimals
Fractions
Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)

Formulas

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Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12