When are fractions better than decimals?

Answer 1

I am sure a carpenter would prefer a fraction to a decimal anyday! If I am measuring a piece of wood that needs to be 5/8 of an inch thick, I can pull out my measuring tape or ruler and easily find it. If it is listed as a decimal, .625, I have to do some figuring before I can get to work.

Fractions are also better for getting a visual picture. If there is 3/4 of a Pizza left I can instantly visualize it in my head, as opposed to .75.

However, decimals are very useful when measuring very small items since my ruler ceases to be useful past 1/16th. If I need to measure the width of 5 sheets of computer paper, their width is .02 (each sheet is approx. .004). Good luck measuring that with a ruler. You would need a caliper of some sort.

Hope this helps!

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You don't need to "figure it out" to convert - just buy a decimal - fraction conversion-chart and simple calculator!

Decimals are used in preference to fractions in precision-engineering in inches, as conventional Imperial-graduated machine-tools are set to give 1/1000" (0.001") increments of movement. Metric / SI units are always manipulated in multiples of 10 and decimals.

Understanding vulgar fractions is often very helpful when dealing with integer (whole-number) problems that string 3 or more multiplications and divisions together, as may occur from "real-life" algebra, i.e., formulae. They can also sometimes be used instead of long-division, provided you can be reasonably sure you won't end up with clumsy remainders, by writing the division as a fraction and cancelling. The property of a reciprocal of a number (1/number) can sometimes provide a neat short-cut when manipulating problems on a calculator.