Fractions Decimals And Percentages

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Lesson notes

Converting Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

  • To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100 (move digits two places right). E.g., 6% = 0.06.
  • To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100 (move digits two places left and add %). E.g., 0.35 = 35%.
  • To convert a decimal to a fraction: for 1 decimal place, write over 10; for 2 decimal places, over 100; for n decimal places, over 10ⁿ. Simplify if needed.
  • To convert a percentage to a fraction, write the percentage over 100 and simplify. E.g., 37% = 37/100.
  • To convert a fraction to a decimal, rewrite with denominator 10, 100, 1000, etc., or use division. E.g., 3/5 = 6/10 = 0.6.
  • To convert a fraction to a percentage, first convert to decimal then multiply by 100. E.g., 4/5 = 0.8 = 80%.
  • Common recurring decimals: 0.333... = 1/3, 0.666... = 2/3.

Ordering Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

  • To order only fractions, write them with a common denominator (lowest common denominator) and compare numerators.
  • To order a mixture of fractions, decimals, and percentages, convert everything to decimals first.
  • Use symbols: < (less than), > (greater than), ≤ (less than or equal), ≥ (greater than or equal), = (equal), ≠ (not equal).
  • When ordering, write all numbers with the same number of decimal places to compare easily.
  • Example: 78% < 0.8 < 5/6 < 7/8 (after converting all to decimals).

Ordering FDP: the 5-step method

Ordering FDP: the 5-step method

Common Conversions to Memorise

  • 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%
  • 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%
  • 3/4 = 0.75 = 75%
  • 1/5 = 0.2 = 20%
  • 2/5 = 0.4 = 40%
  • 1/10 = 0.1 = 10%
  • 1/3 ≈ 0.333 = 33.3%

Common FDP Equivalents

Common FDP EquivalentsFractionDecimalPercentage1/20.550%1/40.2525%3/40.7575%1/50.220%2/50.440%1/100.110%1/30.333...33.3%

Tips for Exam Questions

  • A calculator can be used to check conversions between fractions and decimals (even if the question says 'without a calculator').
  • For ordering, convert all values to decimals (using calculator if allowed) then compare.
  • When shading a grid for a percentage, count total squares and shade the given percentage of them.
  • Always simplify fractions to lowest terms (e.g., 36/124 = 9/31).
  • To find a fraction of a quantity, multiply the quantity by the fraction (e.g., 5/8 of 128 = 80).

Worked Example: Ordering Fractions Only

  • Order 1/3, 2/5, 9/25, 4/15 from smallest to largest.
  • Find LCM of denominators: LCM of 3,5,25,15 is 75.
  • Rewrite: 1/3 = 25/75, 2/5 = 30/75, 9/25 = 27/75, 4/15 = 20/75.
  • Order by numerators: 20/75, 25/75, 27/75, 30/75.
  • Original order: 4/15, 1/3, 9/25, 2/5.

Comparing 1/3, 2/5, 9/25, 4/15

Order 1/3, 2/5, 9/25, 4/150.330.40.360.271/32/59/254/15

Worked Example: Ordering Mixed FDP

  • Order 7/8, 5/6, 0.8, 78% from smallest to largest.
  • Convert all to decimals: 7/8 = 0.875, 5/6 ≈ 0.8333, 0.8 = 0.800, 78% = 0.78.
  • Compare: 0.78, 0.800, 0.8333, 0.875.
  • Original order: 78% < 0.8 < 5/6 < 7/8.

Comparing 7/8, 5/6, 0.8, 78%

Order 7/8, 5/6, 0.8, 78%0.880.830.80.787/85/60.878%

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.Write 2/5 as a decimal.

    Easy
    • A0.4
    • B0.25
    • C0.5
    • D0.2
  2. 2.Write 15% as a decimal.

    Easy
    • A0.15
    • B1.5
    • C0.015
    • D15
  3. 3.Write 3/4 as a percentage.

    Easy
    • A75%
    • B34%
    • C0.75%
    • D7.5%
  4. 4.Write 0.45 as a fraction in its simplest form.

    Easy
    • A9/20
    • B45/100
    • C9/10
    • D4/5
  5. 5.Write 3/10 as a percentage.

    Easy
    • A30%
    • B3%
    • C0.3%
    • D13%
  6. 6.Write 26% as a decimal.

    Easy
    • A0.26
    • B2.6
    • C0.026
    • D26
  7. 7.Write 0.48 as a fraction in its simplest form.

    Easy
    • A12/25
    • B48/100
    • C12/50
    • D24/25
  8. 8.Write these numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 3/4, 72%, 0.78, 8/10.

    Medium
    • A72%, 0.78, 3/4, 8/10
    • B72%, 3/4, 0.78, 8/10
    • C0.78, 72%, 3/4, 8/10
    • D3/4, 72%, 0.78, 8/10

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