# What is 1/16 as a decimal?

## Solution

Use the concept of equivalent fractions to write the fraction 1/16 as a decimal.

• The equivalent fractions are the fraction that is derived by multiplying different numbers with the numerator and denominator of the fraction.
• All the equivalent fractions of a fraction simplify to the same fraction.
• Equivalent fractions can be obtained by multiplying the same number to the denominator and the numerator.

Fractions can be converted to their decimal form either by the long division method or by shifting the decimal directly in some cases.

Fractions that have the numbers 10,100,1000…. etc. as their denominator can be directly changed to decimal by moving the decimal point of the numerator to the left as many places as there are zeros in the denominator.

The fraction $$\frac1{16}$$ can be converted to an equivalent fraction with a suitable denominator.

Find the suitable denominator that can be divided by 16 exactly.

We can see that 16 multiplied by 625 gives 10000.

As the denominator is multiplied by 625, the numerator should also be multiplied by 625.

We will get,

$$\frac{\mathbf1}{\mathbf{16}}\boldsymbol=\frac{\mathbf1\boldsymbol\times\mathbf{625}}{\mathbf{16}\boldsymbol\times\mathbf{625}}\boldsymbol=\frac{\mathbf{625}}{\mathbf{10000}}\boldsymbol=\mathbf0\boldsymbol.\mathbf{0625}$$

There are 4 zeros in the denominator, hence shift the decimal point by four digits to the left.

The long division method is also given below for reference.

## Remember

Here are some common terms you should be familiar with.

• In the fraction $$\frac1{16}$$, the number 1 is the dividend (our numerator)
• The number 16 is our divisor (our denominator).