Which number is a rational terminating decimal?

Responses

511
5 over 11

√39

12−−√
square root of 12

1 over 3

7 over 8

1 answer

A rational terminating decimal is a decimal that ends after a certain number of digits. This occurs when a fraction is simplified and its denominator has only the prime factors 2 and/or 5.

Let's analyze the provided options:

  1. 511: This is an integer and can be written as \( \frac{511}{1} \). It is a terminating decimal.

  2. 5 over 11: This fraction does not have a denominator that consists solely of the prime factors 2 and 5. It results in a repeating decimal (approximately 0.4545...).

  3. √39: The square root of 39 is an irrational number, so it’s not a terminating decimal.

  4. √12: This can be simplified to \( 2\sqrt{3} \), and since it is also irrational, it's not a terminating decimal.

  5. 1 over 3: This fraction results in a repeating decimal (approximately 0.333...), so it’s not a terminating decimal.

  6. 7 over 8: The denominator (8) can be expressed as \( 2^3 \), which consists solely of the prime factor 2. Therefore, it is a terminating decimal (0.875).

From this analysis, the rational terminating decimals are 511 and 7 over 8.