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Write 0.272727... as a fraction

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Repeating decimals to fractions · Foundations

Step by step

The question

Question: write 0.2727 repeating as a fraction.

0.2727…

Look at the digits.

The block 2 7 repeats for ever.

27 repeats for ever

1 Call it x

We do not know the fraction yet.

So we call the number x: x = 0.2727 repeating.

x = 0.2727…

Careful!

It is not 27/100.

That is 0.27, which stops.

Ours goes on for ever.

Careful: not 0.2727… = 27100 ✗

2 Move the point

2 digits repeat.

So we multiply both sides by 100.

That moves the point 2 places to the right, one whole block.

100x = 27.2727…
× 100: point moves 2 places

3 Take away

Now we take the first one away from the new one.

Both sides, so they stay equal.

100x − x = 27.2727… − 0.2727…

After the point, both go on with 2 7 for ever.

The tails are exactly the same, so they make zero.

Cross them out.

100x minus x is 99x.

27 minus 0 is 27.

99x = 27

4 Remove the 99

99x means 99 times x.

We want just x.

To remove times 99, we divide by 99.

99x99 = 2799

99 divided by 99 is 1.

So just x is left.

27 and 99 can both be divided by 9.

We can make 27/99 simpler.

It is the same as 3/11.

27 ÷ 999 ÷ 9 = 311

So x = 3/11.

x = 311

So 0.2727 repeating is 3/11.

5 Check

Let's check: 3 divided by 11.

We get 0.2727, and the digits go on the same way.

That is 0.2727 repeating.

So the answer is right!

3 ÷ 11 = 0.2727…

Let's look back.

First: call it x.

Then: move the point.

Then: take away.

Then: remove the 99.

Last: check.

Answer
x = 311

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Write 0.1818…
Show the answer
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