Problem Solving

LUANDATO wrote:If each of the following fractions were written as a decimal, which would have the fewest number of digits to the right of the decimal point?

A. 1/8
B. 1/5
C. 1/3
D. 2/3
E. 3/4

Convert each fraction to a decimal...
A. 1/8 = 0.125 (3 digits to the right of the decimal point)
B. 1/5 = 0.2 (1 digit to the right of the decimal point)
NOTE: The only way to have FEWER than 1 digit to the right of the decimal point is to have ZERO digits to the right of the decimal point. This occurs only when the fraction evaluates to be an integer. Since none of the remaining fractions evaluate to be an integer, the correct answer is B

That said, let's perform the remaining conversions for "fun"

C. 1/3 = 0.333333... (infinitely many digits to the right of the decimal point)
D. 2/3 = 0.66666.... (infinitely many digits to the right of the decimal point)
E. 3/4 = 0.75 (2 digits to the right of the decimal point)

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent