Expert: Scarlett - 12/19/2006

Question
How do I convert .233333333333333333333 (repeating) to a fraction.  My teacher tells me the answer is 21/90, but I don't get it.

Answer
okay it's difficult to explain stuff like this, so anything you don't follow let me know. Any number is the same as that number divided by 1, so 0.2333333333333 is the same as 0.233333333/1. Once you have this you need to multiply the top and the bottom by the same number (you know this fraction rule?) until both numbers are whole numbers. So, first, multiply both by 10, so you get 2.333333333333333/10 because anything that has repeating threes after the decimal point is a third. So, multiplying it by 3 will make it a whole number (because three thirds are 1); 7/30. There is no need to multiply this by 3, but if you do you get 21/90. Okay, so how much made sense? Don't be afraid to say none!