The line in a fraction is referred to as the fraction bar or vinculum and in a fraction this represents division.
Dividing the numerator by the denominator may result in an equivalent terminating decimal.
If the decimal is non-terminating then the decimal is an approximation of the fraction.
Writing the decimal as a fraction with a denominator of one allows you to use your knowledge of equivalent fractions.
Through equivalent fractions, you can write a fraction where the numerator is an integer value.

Common misconception

When ordering decimals, the more significant figures the greater the number.

When ordering decimals, having the same number of decimal places allows the pupils to see the magnitude of the number more clearly.

Keywords

Vinculum - Vinculum is the horizontal line placed over an expression to show that everything below that line is one group.

Creating their own questions using common equivalents helps embed the required knowledge of these common equivalents. E.g Create questions where numbers need to be ordered. E.g Create questions where the sum of two common equivalents is greater than the third. Checking with a calculator helps.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

A ___________ decimal is one that has a finite number of digits after the decimal point.

fast

Correct answer: terminating

solid

finished

recurring

Q2.

Which of the following is a mixed number?

$${{4} \over {3}}$$

Correct answer: $$6 {{2} \over {3}}$$

$$ {{5} \over {8}}$$

$$ {{4} \over {9}}$$

Q3.

Which of the following is equivalent to $$ {{2} \over {3}}$$?

Correct answer: $$ {{4} \over {6}}$$

Correct answer: $$ {{8} \over {12}}$$

$$ {{4} \over {5}}$$

Correct answer: $$ {{6} \over {9}}$$

Q4.

Which of the following is equivalent to $$\frac{4}{10}$$?

$$\frac{8}{10}$$

Correct answer: $$\frac{2}{5}$$

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

Q5.

Which of the following is equivalent to $$\frac{5}{9}$$?

Correct answer: $$\frac{15}{27}$$

$$\frac{10}{9}$$

$$\frac{20}{27}$$

Q6.

Which of the following is an improper fraction?

$$\frac{9}{10}$$

$$2 \frac{9}{10}$$

Correct answer: $$\frac{10}{9}$$

$$10.9$$

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6 Questions

Q1.

Which of these is equivalent to 0.312?

$$\frac{312}{100}$$

$$\frac{31}{120}$$

Correct answer: $$\frac{39}{125}$$

Q2.

Which of these is equivalent to 0.42?

Correct answer: $$\frac{21}{50}$$

$$\frac{42}{1000}$$

$$\frac{11}{25}$$

Q3.

Which of these is equivalent to 0.04?

$$\frac{1}{5}$$

Correct answer: $$\frac{1}{25}$$

$$\frac{1}{50}$$

Q4.

Convert 13.6 into a mixed number.

Correct answer: $$13 \frac{3}{5}$$

$$13 \frac{68}{5}$$

$$13 \frac{136}{10}$$

Q5.

Convert 9.4 into a mixed number.

$$9 \frac{4}{5}$$

Correct answer: $$9 \frac{2}{5}$$

$$9 \frac{2}{10}$$

Q6.

Convert 12.3 into an improper fraction.

$$\frac{1203}{10}$$

$$\frac{1230}{10}$$

Correct answer: $$\frac{123}{10}$$