Question 248 of 480
What is the decimal equivalent of the fraction 7/16 rounded to two decimal places?
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
To find the decimal equivalent of the fraction \( \frac{7}{16} \) and round it to two decimal places, we will follow a systematic approach.
### Step 1: Convert the Fraction to Decimal
To convert the fraction \( \frac{7}{16} \) into a decimal, we can perform the division of the numerator (7) by the denominator (16).
1. **Perform the Division**:
- Divide 7 by 16.
- Since 7 is less than 16, we start with 0.
- We can add a decimal point and zeros to 7 to continue the division: \( 7.000 \div 16 \).
2. **Long Division**:
- 16 goes into 70 four times (since \( 16 \times 4 = 64 \)).
- Subtract 64 from 70, which gives us 6.
- Bring down the next 0 (making it 60).
- 16 goes into 60 three times (since \( 16 \times 3 = 48 \)).
- Subtract 48 from 60, which gives us 12.
- Bring down the next 0 (making it 120).
- 16 goes into 120 seven times (since \( 16 \times 7 = 112 \)).
- Subtract 112 from 120, which gives us 8.
- Bring down the next 0 (making it 80).
- 16 goes into 80 five times (since \( 16 \times 5 = 80 \)).
- Subtract 80 from 80, which gives us 0.
So, the division gives us:
\[
\frac{7}{16} = 0.4375
\]
### Step 2: Rounding to Two Decimal Places
Now that we have the decimal equivalent \( 0.4375 \), we need to round it to two decimal places.
1. **Identify the Third Decimal Place**:
- The first two decimal places are 43 (from 0.43).
- The third decimal place is 7 (from 0.4375).
2. **Apply Rounding Rules**:
- According to rounding rules, if the digit in the third decimal place (7) is 5 or greater, we round up the second decimal place (3) by 1.
- Since 7 is greater than 5, we round up 3 to 4.
Thus, rounding \( 0.4375 \) to two decimal places gives us:
\[
0.44
\]
### Conclusion: Correct Option
The correct option is **B. 0.44**.
### Explanation of Other Options
- **Option A: 0.42**: This is incorrect because it rounds down instead of up. The correct rounding of 0.4375 should lead to 0.44, not 0.42.
- **Option C: 0.46**: This is incorrect as it rounds up too much. The correct rounding of 0.4375 does not reach 0.46.
- **Option D: 0.48**: This is also incorrect as it is significantly higher than the actual value of 0.4375.
### Revision Summary
- To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator.
- Use long division to find the decimal equivalent accurately.
- When rounding, look at the digit immediately after the place you are rounding to.
- If that digit is 5 or greater, round up; otherwise, round down.
By following these steps, you can confidently convert fractions to decimals and round them correctly!