what's .48 (its all repeating) as a fraction in simplest form

1 answer

To convert the repeating decimal \(0.48\overline{48}\) to a fraction, we will use the method of multiplying by a power of 10.

Let \(x = 0.484848...\)

  1. Since the repeating part, "48," has two digits, we multiply \(x\) by \(100\) to shift the decimal point two places to the right: \[ 100x = 48.484848... \]

  2. Now, we can set up an equation: \[ 100x = 48.484848... \] \[ x = 0.484848... \]

  3. Next, we subtract the second equation from the first: \[ 100x - x = 48.484848... - 0.484848... \] \[ 99x = 48 \]

  4. Now solve for \(x\): \[ x = \frac{48}{99} \]

  5. To simplify the fraction, we find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 48 and 99. The GCD is 3.

  6. Now we simplify the fraction: \[ x = \frac{48 \div 3}{99 \div 3} = \frac{16}{33} \]

Thus, \(0.48\overline{48}\) as a fraction in simplest form is \(\frac{16}{33}\).