Decimal Fractions

Key Concepts

# Concept Explanation
1 Decimal ↔ Fraction Shift decimal right till number becomes integer → that many zeroes in denominator (0.37 → 37/100).
2 Like Decimals Same number of digits after decimal (3.05, 12.60). Convert all to like form before +/–.
3 Unlike → Like Annex zeroes on right; value unchanged (4.7 → 4.700).
4 Multiplication a) ignore decimal → multiply integers; b) put decimal so total places = sum of places in factors (0.2×0.03=0.006).
5 Division Shift both numbers till divisor becomes integer; then divide (3.5÷0.07 → 350÷7=50).
6 Recurring Decimal Bar over repeating block; 0.333… = 0.3̄ = 1⁄3.
7 Comparison Annex zeroes → compare left-to-right digit-wise.
8 Rounding Look at next digit; ≥5 round up, else same; 3.476 → 3.48 (2 places).

15 Practice MCQs

1. 0.0064 ÷ 0.04 = ? A 0.0016 B 0.016 C 0.16 D 1.6 **Ans: C** Sol: 0.0064 ÷ 0.04 = 64 ÷ 400 = 0.16 **Trick:** Cancel 2 zeroes top & bottom → 64/400 = 16/100 = 0.16 **Tag:** Division of decimals
2. Express 0.125 as a fraction in lowest terms. A 1/9 B 1/7 C 1/8 D 2/9 **Ans: C** Sol: 0.125 = 125/1000 = 1/8 **Trick:** 125 is 1/8 of 1000 **Tag:** Decimal → Fraction
3. Which is greatest: 0.7, 0.699, 0.7001, 0.701? A 0.7 B 0.699 C 0.7001 D 0.701 **Ans: D** Sol: Annex → 0.7000, 0.6990, 0.7001, 0.7010 → 0.7010 largest **Tag:** Comparison
4. 3.6 × 2.5 = ? A 9 B 8.9 C 9.1 D 90 **Ans: A** Sol: 36×25=900; total 2 decimal places → 9.00 = 9 **Trick:** 2.5 = 10/4; 3.6×10/4 = 36/4 = 9 **Tag:** Decimal multiplication
5. (0.3̄ + 0.2̄) equals A 0.5̄ B 0.6̄ C 0.54̄ D 0.4̄ **Ans: A** Sol: 0.3̄ = 1/3, 0.2̄ = 2/9 → 1/3+2/9 = 5/9 = 0.5̄ **Tag:** Recurring decimals
6. 0.45 ÷ 1.5 × 0.2 = ? A 0.06 B 0.6 C 0.006 D 6 **Ans: A** Sol: 0.45 ÷ 1.5 = 0.3; 0.3 × 0.2 = 0.06 **Tag:** Mixed operations
7. Convert 7/8 to decimal. A 0.85 B 0.875 C 0.7825 D 0.8 **Ans: B** Sol: 7×125 / 8×125 = 875/1000 = 0.875 **Trick:** 8×125=1000 → numerator also ×125 **Tag:** Fraction → Decimal
8. 12.345 rounded to 1 decimal place is A 12.4 B 12.3 C 12.35 D 12.34 **Ans: B** Sol: 2nd decimal 4 <5 → 12.3 **Tag:** Rounding
9. 0.008 × 0.05 = ? A 0.004 B 0.0004 C 0.04 D 0.00004 **Ans: B** Sol: 8×5=40; total 5 dec. places → 0.00040 **Trick:** Count zeroes: 3+2=5 → 4 preceded by 3 zeroes → 0.0004 **Tag:** Place-value multiplication
10. If 1.08 ÷ x = 0.09 then x = ? A 12 B 1.2 C 0.12 D 120 **Ans: A** Sol: x = 1.08 ÷ 0.09 = 108 ÷ 9 = 12 **Tag:** Decimal equation
11. 0.3 of 0.3 of 1000 = ? A 90 B 9 C 900 D 0.9 **Ans: A** Sol: 0.3×0.3=0.09; 0.09×1000=90 **Tag:** ‘Of’ operator
12. Which fraction is NOT equal to 0.04? A 1/25 B 4/100 C 2/50 D 1/20 **Ans: D** Sol: 1/20 = 0.05 ≠ 0.04 **Tag:** Equivalent decimals
13. 0.6̄ ÷ 0.3̄ = ? A 2 B 0.2 C 0.5 D 1 **Ans: A** Sol: 0.6̄ = 2/3, 0.3̄ = 1/3 → (2/3)/(1/3)=2 **Tag:** Recurring division
14. 5.5 – 2.55 + 1.005 = ? A 3.955 B 4.055 C 3.995 D 4.105 **Ans: A** Sol: 5.500 – 2.550 = 2.950; +1.005 = 3.955 **Tag:** Addition/subtraction
15. A rod 6.75 m is cut into 0.25 m pieces. Number of pieces is A 25 B 26 C 27 D 28 **Ans: C** Sol: 6.75 ÷ 0.25 = 675 ÷ 25 = 27 **Trick:** 0.25 = 1/4; 6.75×4 = 27 **Tag:** Real-life division

Speed Tricks

Situation Shortcut Example
÷ 0.25 × 4 3.25 ÷ 0.25 = 3.25×4 = 13
÷ 0.5 × 2 7.8 ÷ 0.5 = 15.6
÷ 0.2 × 5 4.3 ÷ 0.2 = 21.5
× 0.25 ÷ 4 9.6×0.25 = 9.6÷4 = 2.4
Compare quickly Annex zeroes to same length, compare digit-wise 0.807 ? 0.81 → 0.807 vs 0.810 → 0.810 wins

Quick Revision

Point Detail
1 Annexing zeroes right of decimal does not change value.
2 Move decimal right in both numbers while dividing → divisor becomes integer.
3 0.1̄ = 1/9; 0.01̄ = 1/90; 0.abc̄ = (abc–ab)/900.
4 Shortcut 0.2 = 1/5, 0.25 = 1/4, 0.5 = 1/2, 0.125 = 1/8.
5 Product has total decimal places = sum in factors.
6 While +/–, vertically align decimal points, fill zeroes.
7 To round, look one extra digit; 5 or above → round up.
8 ‘Of’ means multiply; 0.2 of 0.3 of x = 0.06x.
9 0.6̄ + 0.3̄ = 1.0 exactly; 0.9̄ = 1.
10 In exam, convert all to integers by powers of 10 → faster mental steps.