What is #1 8/9# as a decimal?

1 Answer
May 30, 2017

#1 8/9=1.88888.=1.bar8#

Explanation:

When we have a denominator in a fraction, which in its smallest form and has as its factors prime numbers other than #2# and #5#, you can not write the fraction as a termiinating decimal .

In such cases, we get repeating decimals. This is also true in this case as #9# has its prime factor #3#.

Dividing #8# by #9# using long division, we get

#" "0.8" "8" "8" "8" "8" "8#

#9" ")bar(8.0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0)#
#" "ul(72)" "darr#
#" "8" "0#
#" "ul(7" "2)#
#" "8" "0#
#" "ul(7" "2)#
#" "8" "0#
#" "ul(7" "2)#
#" "8" "0#

...

...

Hence #8/9=0.88888......#

and #1 8/9=1.88888......#

which wecan also write as #1.bar8#, which shows #8# repeats endlessly.