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Let's pay attention to where the decimal point is located in the number.
Remember:
One number after the decimal point represents tenths
Two numbers after the decimal point represent hundredths
Three numbers after the decimal point represent thousandths
And so on
In this case there are three numbers after the decimal point so the number is divided by 1000
Write the fraction in the following way:
We will remove the extra zeros and get:
Write the following fraction as a decimal:
\( \frac{5}{100}= \)
Because there are three digits after the decimal point (1, 7, 1). Each decimal place represents a power of 10: tenths, hundredths, then thousandths. So we need 1000 in the denominator!
Check if 171 and 1000 have any common factors. Since 171 = 3² × 19 and 1000 = 2³ × 5³, they share no common factors, so is already in lowest terms!
The trailing zeros don't count! 0.17100 = 0.171, so you still get . Only count significant digits after the decimal point.
Use this pattern: 1 decimal place = /10, 2 places = /100, 3 places = /1000. Count the digits after the decimal, then use that many zeros after the 1!
Yes! Divide 171 ÷ 1000 on a calculator. You should get 0.171 exactly. If you get a different decimal, recheck your fraction.
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