Arithmetic Grade Five

Lesson One hundred and Twenty-six: Converting Fractions to Decimals

Adding two fractions is sometimes easier if you convert them to decimals first. Consider the following examples: 


       2/5 + 1/2  =  .4 + .5 = .9

       3/10 + 1/5 =  .3 + .2 = .5
If you really wanted to you could find equivalent fractions and then convert your fraction answer to a decimal like this: 

       2/5 + 1/2  =  4/10  +  5/10  =  9/10  = .9

       3/10 + 1/5 =  3/10  +  2/10  =  5/10  =  .5
This requires an extra step, but it still gets you the same answer.

Now you get to try a few for yourself.

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