Use long division to convert 3/16 to a decimal.

1 answer

To convert 3/16 to a decimal using long division, follow these steps:

1. Set up the division problem by writing 3 as the numerator inside the long division bar, and 16 as the denominator outside the bar.

____
16| 3

2. Begin dividing. Ask yourself, "How many times does 16 go into 3?" Since 16 is larger than 3, the answer is 0. Write 0 above the bar, next to the 3.

0
____
16| 3

3. Multiply the 0 by 16, and write the product (0) below the 3.

0
____
16| 3
0

4. Subtract the product (0) from the original number (3). Write the difference (-3) below the line.

0
______
16| 3
0
-3

5. Bring down the next digit, which is 0, next to the difference (-3). This creates the new dividend, -30.

0
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30

6. Repeat the process. Ask yourself, "How many times does 16 go into -30?" The answer is once, as 16 multiplied by -2 equals -32. Write 1 above the line.

01
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30

7. Multiply the 1 by 16, and write the product (16) below the line.

01
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16

8. Subtract the product (16) from the dividend (-30). Write the difference (-14) below the line.

01
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16
-14

9. Bring down the next digit, which is 0, next to the difference (-14). This creates the new dividend, -140.

01
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16
-14
-140

10. Repeat the process. Ask yourself, "How many times does 16 go into -140?" The answer is 8, as 16 multiplied by -9 equals -144. Write 8 above the line.

018
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16
-14
-140

11. Multiply the 8 by 16, and write the product (128) below the line.

018
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16
-14
-140
128

12. Subtract the product (128) from the dividend (-140). Write the difference (-12) below the line.

018
______
16| 3
0
-3
-30
16
-14
-140
128
-12

13. You have obtained a remainder of -12. Since the remainder is negative, there will be a negative sign in the decimal representation as well.

14. The result is 0.1875.

Therefore, 3/16 as a decimal using long division is -0.1875.