Page 22 - Calculating Agriculture Cover 20191124 STUDENT - A

3-6 Everything Decimals CH 3]

Example: Change this fraction 3/8 to an equivalent decimal fraction in thousandths.

Solution: Pencil and paper

0.375
3/8 = 8) 3.000

Solution: With your hand calculator, in this order:

1. Tap the clear key. Cl/C
2. Tap the 3 key. 3

3. Tap the divide key (÷). ÷

4. Tap the 8 key. 8

5. Tap the = sign key. =
6. Answer 0.375 appears on your screen.

Complex fractions
A complex fraction is a fraction where the numerator, denominator, or both contain a
fraction.

3
Example 1: is a complex fraction. The numerator is 3 and the denominator is 1/2.
1/2

3/7
Example 2: is a complex fraction. The numerator is 3/7 and the denominator is 9.
9

3/4
Example 3: is a complex fraction. The numerator is 3/4 and the denominator is 9/10.
9/10

Begin with the denominator. In solving complex fractions, you FIRST begin with the denominator
and convert its decimal equivalent.

In Example 1, the denominator is ½, which is 1 ÷ 2, and arithmetically yields the equivalent
decimal value of 0.50.

In Example 2, the denominator is 9, which is 9/1 or 9 ÷ 1, and arithmetically yields the
equivalent decimal value of 9. Yes, we recognize that the number has not been changed. However,
for the value of consistency for this discussion, what has been stated remains valid.

In Example 3, the denominator is 9/10, which is 9 ÷ 10, and arithmetically yields the equivalent
decimal value of 0.90. Indeed, the arithmetic for this denominator is the same as in Example 1.

Next is to deal with the numerators. This means that after you have dealt arithmetically with
the denominator’s, which is first, then the numerators to the fractions calculated to the decimal
equivalents.

In Example 1, the numerator is 3, which is 3/1 or 3 ÷ 1, and yields the equivalent decimal value
of 3. Again, we recognize that the number has not been changed. However, for the value of
consistency for this discussion in complex fractions, what has been stated remains valid.

In Example 2, the numerator is 3/7, which is 3 ÷ 7, and arithmetically yields the equivalent
decimal value of 0.429. The arithmetic for this number is the same as in Example 1 and 3
discussion for denominators.

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