How do you change -0.375 as a fraction?

Answer 1

First, let's ignore the negative for now. In order to change a decimal to a fraction, you must multiply the decimal to where the decimal will becomes a whole number. The number that is used to make the decimal whole, will become the denominator. Since the decimal stretches to the thousandths place, you would multiply the number by 1000.

Step 1: Change .375 to a whole number by multiplying by 1000. .375x1000=375. So 375 is the numerator and 1000 is the denominator=375/1000.

Step 2: Reduce the fraction: the common denominator I see is 5. So:

375/5=75 and 1000/5=200. Now the fraction reads 75/200

75/5=15 and 200/5=40. Now the fraction reads 15/40 and it still can be reduced by 5.

15/5=3 and 40/5=8. The fraction reads 3/8. Now there isn't any more multiples so all we have to do is place a negative to the number. The answer is -3/8.