Question

Renaldo will write StartFraction 3 over 20 EndFraction as a decimal. Which of the following methods should he use?
1.Multiply the fraction by StartFraction 5 over 5 EndFraction to get a denominator of 100 and then write the numerator as hundredths using a decimal point.
2.Multiply the fraction by One-fifth to get a denominator of 100 and then write the numerator as hundredths using a decimal point.
3.Multiply the fraction by StartFraction 33.3 over 33.3 EndFraction to get a numerator of 100 and then write the denominator as hundredths using a decimal point.
4.Multiply the fraction by 33.3 to get a numerator of 100 and then write the denominator as hundredths using a decimal point.

Answer 1

To convert the fraction \(\frac{3}{20}\) into a decimal, the best method among the options provided is:

1. **Multiply the fraction by \(\frac{5}{5}\) to get a denominator of 100 and then write the numerator as hundredths using a decimal point.**

This method works because:

1. Multiplying \(\frac{3}{20}\) by \(\frac{5}{5}\) effectively scales the fraction without changing its value. It results in:

\[
\frac{3 \times 5}{20 \times 5} = \frac{15}{100}
\]

2. Now, you can easily convert \(\frac{15}{100}\) into a decimal, which is \(0.15\).

The other methods provided either do not correctly maintain the integrity of the fraction or do not lead to a simpler conversion into decimal form.

Thus, method 1 is the correct choice.