Repeating Decimal: A decimal that doesn't end; it shows a repeating pattern of digits after the decimal point. Sample: 1/3 = 0.3333...

For questions 1 and 2, show that the quotient of two integers is either a terminating or repeating decimal.

1) 3/4 = 0.75 = terminating decimal

2) 5/27 = 0.185. If you continue the division process, you will repeat 185 without bound. So, 5/27 = repeating decimal.

Sample C: Show that 1.3456 is the quotient of two integers.

Steps:

1) Express the decimal as a fraction over the proper place value.
2) Include the whole number in the numerator to match denominator place value.
3) Reduce to the lowest terms.

1.3456

= 1 and 3456/10,000

= 13,456/10,000

= 841/625

Sample D:

Show that 0.252525 (bar over 25) is the quotient of two integers.

Steps:

1) Let N = decimal digit repeated at least 3 times. This is our first equation.

2) Let 100N = represent the hundreths place of 0.25 times N. This is our second equation. We will need to multiply 0.25 by 100 to find our whole number (25). 

So far we have this:

N = 0.252525 (our first equation)

100N = 25.252525 (our second equation)

3) Subtract equation 1 from 2 this way:

100N = 25.252525
- N = 0.252525
-----------------------------------
99N = 25.000

4) Divide both sides by the coefficient to find the value of N.

5) Reduce fraction if needed.

N = 25/99

NOTE: To find the whole number in samples like equation 2:

If two digits repeat, multiply by 100, if one digit repeats, multiply by 10, if 3 digits repeat, multiply by 1,000, etc.

Sample E:

Is the number sqrt2 + 3.8 a rational or irrational?

What is an rational number?

Rational Number: 
A number r is rational if it can be written as a fraction r = p/q where both p and q are integers.

What is an irrational number?
Irrational Number: The number sqrt 5 by itself is not rational and is called irrational. This is not a definition of irrational numbers. In math, it's not quite true that what is not rational is irrational. Irrationality is a term reserved for a very special kind of number.

In sample E above, when adding a rational and irrational number, the result will be the sum of a nonrepeating and nonterminating decimal. So, sqrt2 + 3.8 = irrational.

For questions 1 and 2 below, express each decimal as a quotient of two integers.
1) 4.5 (bar over 5)
N = 4.555
10N = 45.555

10N = 45.555
- N = 4.555
-----------------------
9N = 41.000
N = 41/9

2) 0.75 (bar over 75)
N = 0.757575
100N = 75.757575

100N = 75.757575
- N = 0.757575
----------------------------
99N = 75.000

N = 75/99
N = 25/33

For this next question, there is no repetend.
3) 0.64 = 64/100 = 16/25