3/8 as a decimal - MathQuadrum

What is 3/8 as decimal? Let’s explore the exact steps how to convert a fraction to a decimal based on the below example

Understand the Fraction: The fraction 38 represents the division of 3 by 8.
Set Up the Division: Write down the division as you would normally, with 3 being the dividend (the number to be divided) and 8 as the divisor (the number to divide by).
Perform the Division:
- Since 3 is less than 8, you cannot divide it directly. To proceed, you add a decimal point to the dividend (3) and add a zero after the decimal point, making it 30 (in the tenths place).
- Now, divide 30 by 8. The result is 3, since 8 times 3 is 24, which is the closest you can get to 30 without exceeding it.
- Write down 3 to the right of the decimal point in your answer.
Subtract to Find the Remainder: Subtract 24 (8 times 3) from 30. The remainder is 6.
Repeat the Process for the Remainder:
- Add another zero to the remainder to make it 60 (since you’re now working in the hundredths place).
- Divide 60 by 8, which gives you 7 because 8 times 7 is 56.
- Add this 7 to your answer, making it 0.37 so far.
Check for Further Remainders: Subtract 56 from 60. The remainder is 4.
Continue if Necessary: If you want more decimal places, you can continue this process by adding another zero to the remainder and dividing again. However, in this case, repeating the process will show that there are no more significant digits to add.
Finalize the Answer: The decimal representation of 38 is 0.375.

This process is essentially long division with the additional step of extending the dividend with zeros after the decimal point to continue the division until you reach a remainder of zero or the desired level of precision.

Explore variety of examples below (the above steps are followed):

General rules: convert fraction to decimal

Practical examples:

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