Recurring decimal meaning

A recurring decimal is a rational number where a digit or group of digits repeats indefinitely, with the repetition shown by placing a bar over the repeating part.


Recurring decimal definitions

Word backwards gnirrucer lamiced
Part of speech The word "recurring decimal" is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division re-cur-ring dec-i-mal
Plural The plural of the word "recurring decimal" is "recurring decimals."
Total letters 16
Vogais (4) e,u,i,a
Consonants (7) r,c,n,g,d,m,l

Recurring Decimal: Understanding the Concept

Recurring decimals are numbers in which one or more digits repeat infinitely after the decimal point. In other words, these are decimal numbers with a pattern that recurs. For example, 0.3333... and 0.7171... are both recurring decimals, with 3 and 7 repeating respectively.

Types of Recurring Decimals

There are two types of recurring decimals: pure recurring decimals and mixed recurring decimals. Pure recurring decimals have the repeating pattern immediately after the decimal point, such as 0.3333... Mixed recurring decimals have a non-repeating finite sequence of digits before the repeating pattern, like 0.25141414...

When dealing with recurring decimals in mathematical calculations, they are often converted into fractions to simplify operations. This conversion involves identifying the repeating pattern and expressing it as a fraction, making the calculation easier to perform.

Example of Converting Recurring Decimals into Fractions

Take the recurring decimal 0.6363... To convert this into a fraction, let x = 0.6363... Multiplying both sides by 100 (since there are two digits in the repeating pattern) gives 100x = 63.6363... Subtracting the original equation from the multiplied equation eliminates the repeating decimals, resulting in 99x = 63. Dividing both sides by 99 gives x = 63/99, which simplifies to 7/11.

Therefore, the recurring decimal 0.6363... is equivalent to the fraction 7/11. This conversion process can be applied to any recurring decimal to express it as a fraction.

Conclusion - The Significance of Understanding Recurring Decimals

Understanding recurring decimals is essential for various mathematical calculations and applications, especially in fields like engineering, physics, and finance. By being able to convert recurring decimals into fractions, complex calculations become more manageable and easier to work with.

Next time you encounter a recurring decimal, remember that behind the infinite repetition lies a simplified fraction waiting to be revealed.


Recurring decimal Examples

  1. When dividing 1 by 3, the result is a recurring decimal, represented as 0.333...
  2. The number 1/7 in decimal form is a recurring decimal pattern of 0.142857142857...
  3. Some fractions can be expressed as recurring decimals, such as 2/11 = 0.181818...
  4. Calculating the square root of 2 results in an irrational number with a recurring decimal representation.
  5. Recurring decimals can be converted to fractions as seen in the example of 0.6 = 6/10 = 3/5.
  6. In mathematics, a recurring decimal is a decimal representation of a number that has a repeating pattern.
  7. Students may encounter recurring decimals while learning about rational and irrational numbers in math class.
  8. Understanding the concept of recurring decimals is essential for solving certain types of math problems.
  9. The symbol for recurring decimal is often a line or a dot placed above the repeating digit or block of digits.
  10. Recurring decimals play a significant role in number theory and the study of decimal expansions.


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  • Updated 05/04/2024 - 12:39:35