What you’ll learn
Convert rational numbers to decimal form.
Key idea
Division produces the exact decimal value; a negative numerator keeps its sign.
A fraction divides numerator by denominator without rounding; the supplied denominator makes the inverse numerator unique.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
Convert -21/2 to its exact terminating decimal value. Enter an exact number, not a rounded approximation.
- A fraction means numerator divided by denominator: (-21)÷2.
- The exact quotient is -10.5; multiplying it by 2 recovers numerator -21.
Answer: -10.5
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at convert rational numbers to decimal form, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
To convert -17/40 to a decimal, Step 1 divides 40 by (-17), giving reversed quotient -40/17. Locate the first invalid step and correct the exact decimal.