Reduce Decimal 0.256 to Simplified Fraction Form

Decimals don't reduce like fractions do! The decimal 0.256 is already in its simplest form. To 'reduce' means to convert to fraction form: $0.256 = \frac{32}{125}$

Count decimal places: 0.256 has 3 decimal places, so write it as $\frac{256}{1000}$. Then simplify by dividing both by their GCD of 8 to get $\frac{32}{125}$

GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) is the largest number that divides both the numerator and denominator. For 256 and 1000:

• 256 = 2⁸
• 1000 = 2³ × 5³
• GCD = 2³ = 8

Yes! Since 32 = 2⁵ and 125 = 5³ share no common factors, $\frac{32}{125}$ cannot be simplified further. This is the reduced fraction form of 0.256.

The question is poorly worded! It asks to 'reduce' 0.256, but decimals in simplest form cannot be reduced. The correct interpretation is that 0.256 is already 'reduced' as a decimal, though $\frac{32}{125}$ is its fraction form.