## How to Convert Fractions to Decimals

Converting fractions to decimals is one of the basic skills in mathematics that you should learn in order to pass the Civil Service Examination.  Being able to convert numbers to fractions, decimals, and percents, will give you an advantage to solve problems better and faster. In this post, we are going to discuss how to convert fractions to decimals.

Recall that in fractions, the number at the top of the fraction bar is called the numerator and the number at the bottom of the fraction bar is called the denominator. In converting fractions to decimals we divide: the numerator becomes the dividend and the denominator becomes the divisor (don’t switch!).

In converting fractions to decimals, you should divide the numerator by the denominator manually. Take note of this step because most solvers switch their places.

Example 1: Convert $\frac{4}{5}$ to decimals.

First, 4 divided by 5 cannot be done, so we place 0 in the quotient.

Second, we add the decimal point and place 0 after the decimal point in the dividend. We also add the decimal point to the quotient aligned with the first decimal point.

Third, ignoring the decimal point, we divide 40 by 5, which gives us 8. We write 8 at the right of the decimal point and continue our calculation.

So, $\frac{4}{5}$ in decimals is $0.8$.

Example 2: Convert $\frac{1}{8}$ to decimals.

Again, we align the decimals and divide 1 with 8 which cannot be, so we place 0 in the quotient. Next, we add the decimal point and 0 to the dividend. Now dividing 10 by 8, we get 1 a quotient as shown below.

After subtraction, we still have a remainder. So, we add another 0 in the dividend as shown. Performing division, we have the following calculation.

Next, we still have a remainder. Adding 0, we have the following calculation.

Therefore $\frac{1}{8} = 0.125$.

Example 3: There are cases that the decimal in non-terminating such as $\frac{1}{3}$. If you calculate this fraction, it will give you $0.333333$ with never ending 3’s. So, you can just round to 0.33 or depending on the number of decimal places required.

Example 4: There are cases that the decimals are repeating. For example, if we convert $\frac{1}{7}$ to fractions, we get 0.142857142857 with 142857 repeating. Again, in examinations, they usually tell you to round your answers to the nearest place values.

Example 5: For mixed fractions, you can just ignore the whole number, and then convert the fraction to decimals. After you have calculated the decimal, add the whole number.

For example, how do we convert $9 \frac{4}{5}$ to decimals.

First, we ignore the whole number. Then, we convert $\frac{4}{5}$ to decimals which is 0.8 in Example 1.  Lastly, we add 9 and 0.8 which is equal to 9.8.

$9 \frac{4}{5} = 9.8$.

Many of you had been asking for downloadable PDF of tutorials. Well, this is what you’ve been waiting for! Admin Jess Christian Ramirez has prepared some tutorials on math word problems with examples which you can download in PDF form. You may download them, print them, and share them with your friends!

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4.) Age Problems

Enjoy studying and good luck every one.

Remember: Deadline for application for the May 3 exam is on March 12!

## Video Series: How to Solve Consecutive Number Problems

PH Civil Service Review partners with the Sipnayan Youtube Channel in order to teach the basic concepts of mathematics easily. These tutorials are explained in mixed Tagalog and English, so viewers would be able to understand more. Below is one of the video series in the Sipnayan Youtube channel: a series of tutorials on how to solve consecutive number problems.

Part 1

The first video shown below discusses the definition of consecutive numbers. It also explains the difference of consecutive numbers, consecutive even numbers, and consecutive odd numbers. It discusses how to represent consecutive numbers algebraically and gives two sample problems.

Part 2 (click here to watch video), discusses in details two more examples. The first is four consecutive numbers with a sum of 70 and the third one is 3 consecutive numbers with a sum of 51.

Part 3 (click here to watch video) discusses two consecutive number problems describing their terms.

Aside from these videos, PH Civil Service Review has also a tutorial series on “The Solving Consecutive Number Problems Series” which discusses more examples in details. You can also subscribe to the Sipnayan Youtube Channel to be updated to the latest videos.

## Grammar Tutorial: Past Progressive Tense

Written by Leny Ortega

Past Progressive Tense of the verb is used when something was going on before another action happened. Remember, these two actions are both in the past. Only the action that was going on uses the past progressive tense while the other action uses the simple past tense.

1st past action (on-going)             2nd past action
Form:  (singular) was + verb – ing                     simple past (talked, walked, etc)
(plural )  were + verb – ing

Examples:
1. The teacher was discussing the lesson when the group of rowdy men entered the classroom.

2. The civilians were crossing the river when they heard a loud explosion.

3. The UN peace troopers were meeting their members when foreign terrorists attacked the camp.

Exercises: Use the correct form of the verb inside the parentheses.

1. Melissa (sing) her contest piece when the audience (shout) delightfully at her performance.

2. The GLEE Club members (prepare) their repertoire when the adviser (ask) them to revise the list.

3. The ballerina (practice) her routine when her partner accidentally (slip) on the floor.

4. The news reporter (deliver) the news when a storm surge (reach) his place.

5. The militant groups (ask) for a signature campaign against the president when the presidential
spoke person (call) for a press conference.