Question

What is 1.6 as a fraction?

Answer 1

`8/5` or `1 3/5`

Explanation:

1.6 is 16 divided by 10 which can be written `16/10`
Divide numerator and denominator by the same thing (cancel) in this case divide by 2 to give `8/5`
Eight fifths is 1 whole (five fifths) and 3 fifths so as a mixed number `1 3/5`

Answer 2

`8/5` ( as a fraction )

I have deliberately shown this as it demonstrates a very useful technique. The short cut is as per the other solution.

Explanation:

1.6 is the same as `1+6/10`

Multiply by 1 and you do not change the value. However, 1 comes in many forms.

`color(green)([1color(magenta)(xx1)]+6/10" "->" "[1color(magenta)(xx10/10)]+6/10`

`10/10+6/10" " =" " (10+6)/10" " =" "16/10`

To simplify the fraction divide top and bottom by 2

`16/10 -=(16-:2)/(10-:2) = 8/5`