Converting decimals to numbers can seem complicated but once you know how to do it, it’s quite simple. Let’s take a look at how easy it is using the example of writing 2.5 as a fraction…
How to write 2.5 as a fraction
The way to write a decimal number as a fraction is to first separate out the whole number from the decimal part.
In our example, this gives us 2 as the whole number and 0.5 as the decimal.
Next, convert the decimal part to a fraction.
To continue our example, 0.5 as a fraction is ½, i.e. one half.
Now put this fractional part back with our original whole number and this gives us 2 + ½ = 2½.
2.5 written as a fraction is 2½.
Another way to look at it is to see of which whole number the decimal number is a factor. So to use our example of 2.5 again, this is a factor of 5 because 2 x 2.5 = 5.
So, 5/2 = 2.5. That is 2.5 as a fraction is 5/2, which is the same as 2½.