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A rational number is a number which can be represented as the ratio of two integers, p/q.

Consider dividing p by q. Either the remainder becomes zero at some stage so that the decimal representation is terminating. Otherwise, there is a remainder. With the divisor q, the only possible remainders are integers between 1 and q-1. There are thus only q-1 possible different remainders after which the remainder is one that has appeared before. When that happens the pattern from the previous occurrence of that remainder will repeat.

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Q: Why is any rational number terminating or repeating decimal?
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