Re: Which of the following fractions has a decimal equivalent that is a te
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27 Jul 2022, 14:06
THEORY:
Reduced fraction ab (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only b (denominator) is of the form 2n5m, where m and n are non-negative integers. For example: 7250 is a terminating decimal 0.028, as 250 (denominator) equals to 2∗52. Fraction 330 is also a terminating decimal, as 330=110 and denominator 10=2∗5.
Note that if denominator already has only 2-s and/or 5-s then it doesn't matter whether the fraction is reduced or not.
For example x2n5m, (where x, n and m are integers) will always be the terminating decimal.
We need reducing in case when we have the prime in denominator other then 2 or 5 to see whether it could be reduced. For example fraction 615 has 3 as prime in denominator and we need to know if it can be reduced.
BACK TO THE QUESTION:
Only option E (when reduced to its lowest form) has the denominator of the form 2n5m: 39/128=39/2^7.
Answer: E.