Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Converting fractions with technology

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can convert from fractions to decimals and back again using the converter key on a calculator.

      Key learning points

      1. A calculator can be used to simplify fractions.
      2. A calculator can be used to convert fractions to decimals by dividing.
      3. A calculator can be used to convert fractions to decimals by using the appropriate key.
      4. A calculator can be used to convert a decimal to a fraction by using the appropriate key.

      Keywords

      • Proper fraction - A proper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is less than the denominator.

      • Improper fraction - An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.

      • Mixed number - A mixed number is an improper fraction written as its integer part plus the fractional part where the fractional part is a proper fraction.

      Common misconception

      The calculator rounds recurring/non-terminating decimals to 10 d.p. and it is not terminating.

      The fractional form will give a clearer idea if the decimal equivalent is terminating or not.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils can work an answer out more accurately than a calculator. Using short division and their calculator, work out 1 divided by 7 to more than 10 decimal places. This means pupils have given a more accurate answer than the calculator.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Complete the statement. A factor is a which exactly divides another .

      Correct Answer: term

      Q2.
      Select all the fractions that simplify to $$5 \over 8$$.

      $$8\over 12$$
      $$15\over 26$$
      Correct answer: $$10\over 16$$
      $$15\over 32$$
      Correct answer: $$25\over 40$$

      Q3.
      Which of the following factors of 48 and 180 is the best choice to efficiently simplify $$48\over180$$?

      3
      6
      Correct answer: 12
      15

      Q4.
      Write 360 as a product of prime factors.

      $$2^2 \times 3^2 \times 5$$
      Correct answer: $$2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5$$
      $$2^2 \times 3^3 \times 5$$
      $$2^2 \times 3^2 \times 5^2$$

      Q5.
      Which of these fractions is equivalent to $$1080 \over 2100$$

      $$\frac{2^2 \times 3^2 \times 5}{2^2 \times 5^2 \times 7}$$
      $$\frac{2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5}{2^2 \times 5 \times 7}$$
      $$\frac{2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5^2}{2^2 \times 5^2 \times 7^2}$$
      $$\frac{2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5}{2^2 \times 5^2 \times 7}$$
      Correct answer: $$\frac{2^3 \times 3^3 \times 5}{2^2 \times 3 \times 5^2 \times 7}$$

      Q6.
      Match each fraction to its simplified equivalent fraction.

      Correct Answer:$$84\over210$$,$$2\over5$$

      $$2\over5$$

      Correct Answer:$$48\over210$$,$$8\over35$$

      $$8\over35$$

      Correct Answer:$$48\over84$$,$$4\over7$$

      $$4\over7$$

      Correct Answer:$$84\over48$$,$$1 \frac{3}{4}$$

      $$1 \frac{3}{4}$$

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Using a calculator, calculate the simplified fraction of $$96 \over 90$$.

      $$48 \over 45$$
      $$32 \over 30$$
      Correct answer: $$16 \over 15$$
      $$24 \over 22$$

      Q2.
      Using a calculator, work out the answer to $${16 \over 15} \times 315$$.

      21
      294
      Correct answer: 336
      5040

      Q3.
      Sam's calculator gives an answer as a fraction. What is the name of the key that should be pressed first on the Casio fx-991CW in order to convert this fraction to a decimal?

      Correct Answer: format, FORMAT, Format

      Q4.
      Using a calculator, match the decimal to the equivalent fraction.

      Correct Answer:0.77,$$77 \over 100$$

      $$77 \over 100$$

      Correct Answer:0.972,$$243 \over 250$$

      $$243 \over 250$$

      Correct Answer:3.294,$$1647 \over 500$$

      $$1647 \over 500$$

      Correct Answer:3.924,$$981 \over 250$$

      $$981 \over 250$$

      Q5.
      The format key on the Casio fx-991CW only allows you to change a decimal to an improper fraction.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q6.
      Using your calculator, find the answer to $${4 \over 19} \times {26 \over 62}$$

      0.0882852
      0.08828522
      0.088285229
      Correct answer: 0.0882852292
      0.08828522922

      To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Converting fractions with technology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...