FRACTIONS DECIMALS. 



A fraction is one or more parts of a unit, and is ex- 

 pressed by fractional characters, thus, , J, j- ; or by deci- 

 mals, thus, .5, .25, .75. 



When expressed by fractional characters, the upper figure 

 is called the numerator, because it numbers or gives value 

 to the fraction, by showing how many parts of the whole 

 number into which the unit is divided is taken ; and the 

 lower figure is called the denominator, because it names the 

 number of parts into which the unit is divided. Thus, f 

 means that the unit is divided into 8 parts, and that 3 

 out of the 8 are taken, &c. 



"When expressed by a decimal, the decimal number shows 

 that so many parts of the unit are taken, the unit itself 

 being impliedly divided into as many parts as will corres- 

 pond with the decimal number, and still retain its ratio to 

 it. Thus, .5 means -f$, .25 means T ^, .125 means \\\, &c. 



To reduce fractions to decimals. 



Divide the numerator by the denominator, adding cyphers 

 as required. 



EXAMPLE. What are the decimals of J-, f , and -5 ? 

 SOLUTION. 10^2=.5, 300-:-4=.75, 7000 -r- 8 =.875. Ans. 

 To add decimals. 

 Add as in common addition, setting the whole numbers 



