How to Make Eighteen and Two Tenths into a Decimal

When working with fractions and decimals, it’s often necessary to convert between the two formats. Converting eighteen and two tenths to a decimal is a simple process that can be done in a few steps.

Step 1: Understand the Place Value of Decimals

Decimals are based on the powers of 10. The digit to the right of the decimal point represents tenths, the next digit represents hundredths, and so on. For example, the decimal 0.5 represents 5 tenths, or 1/2.

Step 2: Divide the Numerator by the Denominator

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator (the top number) by the denominator (the bottom number). In this case, we have:

18.2 ÷ 10 = 1.82

Step 3: Write the Decimal

The result of the division is the decimal representation of the fraction. Therefore, eighteen and two tenths is equal to 1.82 in decimal form.

Additional Tips

• If the denominator is a power of 10, the conversion can be done by simply moving the decimal point to the left. For example, to convert 3/10 to a decimal, move the decimal point one place to the left, resulting in 0.3.
• If the fraction is a mixed number, first convert the mixed number to an improper fraction before converting to a decimal. For example, to convert 2 1/4 to a decimal, first convert it to the improper fraction 9/4, then divide 9 by 4 to get 2.25.
• To convert a decimal to a fraction, simply write the decimal as a fraction with a denominator of 10 raised to the power of the number of decimal places. For example, to convert 0.5 to a fraction, write it as 5/10, which simplifies to 1/2.

Applications

Converting fractions to decimals is a useful skill in many areas, including:

• Mathematics: Decimals are used in algebra, calculus, and other advanced math subjects.
• Science: Decimals are used to express measurements, such as temperature and volume.
• Engineering: Decimals are used in calculations for bridges, buildings, and other structures.
• Finance: Decimals are used to express interest rates and other financial data.

Strategies

There are several strategies that can be used to convert fractions to decimals more efficiently:

• Use a calculator: If you have access to a calculator, simply enter the fraction and divide to get the decimal result.
• Estimate the decimal: If you don’t need an exact answer, you can estimate the decimal by dividing the numerator and denominator mentally.
• Use a table: There are tables available that list the decimal equivalents of common fractions.

Tips and Tricks

• To remember how to convert fractions to decimals, use the mnemonic DOM: Divide, Over, Multiply. This stands for dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying the result by 10 raised to the power of the number of decimal places.
• If you are converting a fraction to a decimal and the result is not terminating (i.e., it goes on forever), the fraction is called a repeating decimal. To write a repeating decimal, place a bar over the repeating digits. For example, the fraction 1/3 converts to the repeating decimal 0.333… or 0.3.

Step-by-Step Approach

To convert eighteen and two tenths to a decimal, follow these steps:

1. Divide 18.2 by 10.
2. Write the decimal result, which is 1.82.

Conclusion

Converting fractions to decimals is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. By understanding the place value of decimals and using the appropriate strategies, you can quickly and easily convert fractions to decimals and vice versa.