Converting whole numbers and fractions into whole numbers with decimals is quite straightforward.
In this instance, two and a half converts into 2.5. The half goes behind the decimal point as it is smaller than the number in the 'singles' column.
As you can see, the .5 goes into the first column behind the
decimal point, the 'tenths' column. Therefore, it is the same as five-tenths, which reduced to its lowest common denominators, gives us one-half, which is what we started with.
The 2 in 2.5, as a single whole number, belongs in the first column to the left of the decimal point, the singles column.
When thinking about a decimal number, it can be easier to think of it as a whole number with a fraction. For example, the number 3.75 as a fraction would be three and three-quarters.
In this case, we go .75 as a hundredth of a whole number, as the last digit sits in the hundredths column, behind the decimal point. Three-quarters of a hundred is 75, so we know .75 is the correct way to express three-quarters as a decimal.
For more Blurtit help with whole numbers and decimals, have a look at How Do I Change 2 3/4 Into A Decimal? and How do you change fractions and percentages into decimals? Or, you can watch this useful YouTube film on the subject:
