How do you convert 0.416 (6 being repeated) to a fraction?

1 Answer
Feb 20, 2016

5/12

Explanation:

The following is the standard procedure to solve the problem:

0.41bar(6)=0.41+0.00bar(6)

if x=0.0066666....:

1000x=6.6666....

and 100x=0.666666

Then, if we subtract 1000x and 100x, we obtain:

900x=6

x=6/900

So

0.41bar(6)=0.41+6/900= 41/100+6/900

Now multiply 41/100 by 9/9 for equalizing the denominators:

369/900+6/900=375/900

Now, for simplication, decompose the numerator and denominator in prime factors:

375/900=(3xx5^3)/(2^2xx3^2xx5^2)=5/(2^2xx3)=5/12


Now, the simpler:

If you have something that ends in 33333.... or 666666., you just have to multiply by three to remove the repetition:

#0.41666666...xx3=1.25/3#

Now, you have a number 1.25 which is easily recognizable as 5/4:

(5/4)/3=5/12