The rational numbers are numbers that can be written in
the form
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$\displaystyle\,\frac{a}{b}\,$,
where $\,a\,$ and $\,b\,$
are integers, and
$\,b\,$ is nonzero.
Thus, the rational numbers are ratios of integers.
For example, [beautiful math coming... please be patient] $\,\frac25\,$ and $\,\frac{-7}{4}\,$ are rational numbers.
Every real number is either rational, or it isn't.
If it isn't rational, then it is said to be irrational.
By doing a long division, every rational number can be written
as a finite decimal or an infinite repeating decimal.
A finite decimal is one that stops, like
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$\,0.157\,$.
An infinite repeating decimal is one that has a specified sequence of digits that repeat,
like
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$\,0.263737373737\ldots = 0.26\overline{37}\,$.
Notice that in an infinite repeating decimal, the over-bar indicates the digits that repeat.
To answer this question:
The following example illustrates the idea:
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$\displaystyle\frac{9}{60} = \frac{3}{20}
= \frac{3}{2\cdot2\cdot 5}\cdot\frac{5}{5}
= \frac{15}{100}
= 0.15
$
If there are only factors of
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$\,2\,$ and $\,5\,$ in the denominator,
then additional factors can be introduced, as needed,
so that there are equal numbers of twos and fives.
Then, the denominator is a power of $\,10\,$,
which is easy to write in decimal form.
When the fraction is in simplest form,
then any prime factors other than
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$\,2\,$ or $\,5\,$ in the denominator
will give an infinite repeating decimal. For example:
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$\displaystyle\frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{2\cdot 3}
= 0.166666\ldots
= 0.1\overline{6}
$ (bar over just the $6$)
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$\displaystyle\frac{2}{7}
= 0.\overline{285714}
$ (bar over the digits $285714$)
$\displaystyle\frac{3}{11}
= 0.\overline{27}
$ (bar over the digits $27$)
Consider the given fraction.
In decimal form, determine if the given fraction is a finite decimal, or an infinite repeating decimal.
DO NOT USE YOUR CALCULATOR FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
Feel free, however, to use pencil and paper.