ACT Math : Decimals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Arithmetic

When 5/11 is written as a decimal, what is the 100th digit to the right of the decimal point?

Possible Answers:

2

4

0

5

1

Correct answer:

5

Explanation:

When 5 is divided by 11, the decimal is 0.45 repeating, with a 5 in the hundreths place. The key here is to recognize that 100 is an even number, and the 5 in 0.45 is two places to the right of the decimal point (2 also being an even number).

Example Question #1 : Decimals

Find  the sum of the following:

 \(\displaystyle 5\frac{1}{8}+6\frac{3}{16}?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 11.1875\)

\(\displaystyle 11.625\)

\(\displaystyle 11.125\)

\(\displaystyle 11.3125\)

\(\displaystyle 11.25\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 11.3125\)

Explanation:

To get the decimal from a fraction, divide the numerator by the denominator

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{8}=0.125\)

\(\displaystyle 5\frac{1}{8}=5.125\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{16}=0.1875\)

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{3}{16}=6.1875\)

\(\displaystyle 5.125+6.1875=11.3125\)

Example Question #251 : Arithmetic

Find the sum to the nearest hundredth:

\(\displaystyle 13\frac{3}{8} + 12\frac{17}{40} ?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 26.3\)

\(\displaystyle 27.4\)

\(\displaystyle 28.9\)

\(\displaystyle 25.8\)

\(\displaystyle 24.3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 25.8\)

Explanation:

1. Convert the fractions to decimals by division:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{8}=0.375\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{40}=0.425\)

2. Add the corresponding whole numbers to the decimals:

\(\displaystyle 13+0.375=13.375\)

\(\displaystyle 12+0.425=12.425\)

3. Add the two decimals:

\(\displaystyle 13.375 + 12.425 = 25.8\)

Example Question #411 : Arithmetic

 If \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3} < x < 0.76\)\(\displaystyle x\) can equal which of the following?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\)

None of the other answer choices are correct

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{16}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{12}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\)

Explanation:

Convert all of the fractions to decimals. Thus, x is contained within the range of 0.33 < x < 0.76. The answers choices become 1/4 = 0.25, 4/12 = 0.33, 2/5 = 0.4, and 5/16 = 0.3125, respectively.  Therefore, the only answer which is within the desired range is 2/5.

Example Question #262 : Fractions

Simplify:

\(\displaystyle 0.35+\frac{0.75}{0.2}-0.4*\frac{0.5}{0.1}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{25}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{213}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{21}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle 23\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{30}{7}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{21}{10}\)

Explanation:

Begin by multiplying all of your decimal fractions by \(\displaystyle \frac{100}{100}\):

\(\displaystyle 0.35+\frac{0.75}{0.2}*\frac{100}{100}-0.4*\frac{0.5}{0.1}*\frac{100}{100}\)

Simplify:

\(\displaystyle 0.35+\frac{75}{20}-0.4*\frac{50}{10}=0.35+\frac{15}{4}-0.4*5\)

Now perform the multiplication:

\(\displaystyle 0.35+\frac{15}{4}-2\)

The easiest thing to do next is to subtract \(\displaystyle 2\) from \(\displaystyle 0.35\):

\(\displaystyle 0.35+\frac{15}{4}-2=\frac{15}{4}-1.65\)

Next, convert \(\displaystyle 1.65\) into the fraction \(\displaystyle \frac{165}{100}\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{15}{4}-\frac{165}{100}\)

Now, the common denominator can be \(\displaystyle 100\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{15}{4}*\frac{25}{25}-\frac{165}{100}=\frac{375}{100}-\frac{165}{100}\)

Simplify:

\(\displaystyle \frac{375}{100}-\frac{165}{100}=\frac{210}{100}=\frac{21}{10}\)

Example Question #1 : Decimals With Fractions

Convert 0.825 into a fraction.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{29}{40}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{33}{40}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{33}{40}\)

Explanation:

0.825 in fraction form is \(\displaystyle \frac{825}{1000}\).  Simplifying the fraction equals \(\displaystyle \frac{33}{40}\).

Example Question #1 : Decimals With Fractions

What is \(\displaystyle 0.48x\) equivalent to?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{50}x\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{100}x\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{48}{x}\)

\(\displaystyle 48x\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{48}x\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{24}{50}x\)

Explanation:

We need to convert \(\displaystyle 0.48\) into a fraction.

To do this, write down \(\displaystyle \frac{0.48}{1}\)

Now, because the decimal goes to the hundreth place, multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction by 100.

\(\displaystyle \frac{0.48\times100}{1\times100}=\frac{48}{100}\)

Now, simplify the fraction.

\(\displaystyle \frac{48}{100}=\frac{24}{50}\)

Example Question #361 : Arithmetic

A tub of food contains \(\displaystyle 0.5\) pounds of vegetables, \(\displaystyle 1.75\) pounds of lard, and \(\displaystyle 15\) pounds of sausage.  What is its total weight as an improper fraction?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{83}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{69}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{18}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{91}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{69}{4}\)

Explanation:

To begin with, it is easiest just to add these decimals together using your calculator:

\(\displaystyle 0.5+1.75+15=17.25\)

Now, this is the same thing as:

\(\displaystyle 17 + 0.25\)

We can rewrite this:

\(\displaystyle 17 + \frac{1}{4}\)

To find this, you need to give the two numbers a common denominator:

\(\displaystyle 17 + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{68}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{69}{4}\)

This is your answer.

Example Question #2 : Decimals

What is the fractional equivalent of \(\displaystyle 0.33\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{33}{100}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{333}{1000}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{33}{100}\)

Explanation:

In decimal form \(\displaystyle 0.33\) is said 33 hundredths.

This is equal to

\(\displaystyle \frac{33}{100}\).

This fraction cannot be reduced any further therefore it is in its final answer form.

Example Question #3 : Decimals

Write 0.45 as a fraction.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{9}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{20}\)

Explanation:

.45 is equivalent to 45 out of 100, or \(\displaystyle \frac{45}{100}\).

Divide both the numerator and denominator by 5 to simplify the fraction: 

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{20}\)

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors