Math Tutor Explains: What is 1 1/2 as a decimal?

Decimals and fractions are two ways you can write the same number. A decimal is written when in two parts, its whole numbers part and its decimals part – with a decimal point in between. In this article, a math tutor will teach you how to convert 1 1/2 to a decimal using the division method.

Math Tutor Solution: 1 1/2 as a decimal is 1.5

Methods

First step from a math tutor – Making the fraction improper:

The first step to changing 1 1/2 into a decimal is to change it to an improper fraction. To do that, we need to multiply 1 by 2 and add its product to 1 in the numerator to get: 3/2. Now we will attempt to convert 3/2 to a decimal using the following method:

Math Tutor Explanation for using the division method:

A fraction is usually split into two parts: the first part is the number on top, called the numerator; and the second part is the number on the bottom, called the denominator. These are both separated by a line called the “divisor line”. We can use the division method help to solve this question: to get a decimal, simply divide the numerator 3 by the denominator 2 (which you can enter in any calculator):

3 (numerator) ÷ 2 (denominator) = 1.5

And finally, you get 1.5 as your answer when you convert 1 1/2 (or 3/2) to a decimal.

Math Tutor Suggests: Practice more conversion problems

All it takes to be better at something is some practice! Our math tutors suggest that you take a look at some more similar problems on converting fractions to decimals and give them a go:

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