When you look at a fraction how can you tell if it will be a repeating or a terminating decimal?

Question

Terminating Decimal: whe the decimal number has an ending
Repeating decimal: when the decimal number keeps on going forever. It follows pattern & has no end.

Answer 1

First, reduce the fraction to lowest terms, e.g. 8/6 = 4/3.

Look at the denominator. Split it into its prime factors. If its prime factors only consist of 2's and 5's, then it will be terminating.

Examples:
16 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, so terminating
25 = 5 x 5, so terminating
2000 = 2 x 1000 = 2 x (2 x 5) x (2 x 5) x (2 x 5), so terminating
12 = 2 x 3, so repeating (has prime factor 3, which is not 2 or 5)
13 = 13, so repeating (has prime factor 13, which is not 2 or 5)

Answer 2

To terminate, the denominator has to divide some power of 10. So, its prime factors have to be 2s and 5s only, as was said by another poster.

Answer 3

if the denimonator is product of power of 2 and power of 5 it termiantes else it keeps going for ever.

Answer 4

Divid the numerator (top number) by the denominator (bottom number).

Answer 5

if the number behind it is reapting over and over ex: if the number 1.666666666666666 that's a reapting number in a decimal!.

Answer 6

use a calculator...it always helps me out..