What Is 2.375 As A Fraction

What is 2.375 as a Fraction? A Step-by-Step Guide

This article will guide you through the process of converting the decimal number 2.375 into its fractional equivalent. Understanding this conversion is crucial for various mathematical applications and improves your overall numeracy skills. We'll break down the method, making it easy to understand and apply to similar decimal-to-fraction conversions.

Understanding Decimal Places

Before diving into the conversion, let's quickly review decimal places. In the number 2.375, the digit 2 represents the whole number. The digits to the right of the decimal point represent fractions of a whole. The 3 is in the tenths place (3/10), the 7 is in the hundredths place (7/100), and the 5 is in the thousandths place (5/1000).

Converting 2.375 to a Fraction

The key to converting this decimal to a fraction lies in understanding its place values. We can rewrite 2.375 as the sum of its whole number and fractional parts:

2 + 0.375

Now, let's focus on converting the decimal part, 0.375, into a fraction. Since the last digit (5) is in the thousandths place, we can write 0.375 as a fraction with a denominator of 1000:

375/1000

Simplifying the Fraction

This fraction isn't in its simplest form yet. To simplify, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (375) and the denominator (1000). The GCD is the largest number that divides both the numerator and the denominator without leaving a remainder. In this case, the GCD of 375 and 1000 is 125.

Now, divide both the numerator and the denominator by the GCD:

375 ÷ 125 = 3 1000 ÷ 125 = 8

This simplifies the fraction to 3/8.

Putting it Together

Remember that we started with 2 + 0.375. We've now converted 0.375 to 3/8. Therefore, the complete fraction is:

2 + 3/8

To express this as a single improper fraction, we can convert the whole number 2 into an equivalent fraction with the denominator 8:

2 = 16/8

Now add the two fractions:

16/8 + 3/8 = 19/8

Therefore, 2.375 as a fraction is 19/8. This is the simplest and most accurate fractional representation of the decimal 2.375.

Conclusion:

Converting decimals to fractions might seem daunting initially, but by systematically breaking down the process – identifying the place values, creating the initial fraction, and simplifying – the conversion becomes straightforward. This method can be applied to convert any decimal number to a fraction. Mastering this skill is beneficial in various mathematical contexts. Try converting other decimals to fractions using this method to solidify your understanding!