Skill: Convert terminating decimals to fractions

A terminating decimal can be written as a fraction with a denominator of $10$, $100$, $1{,}000$, and so on. The denominator depends on the place value of the last digit.

Example: Convert $0.375$ to a fraction

1. Count the decimal places.
   The last digit, $5$, is in the thousandths place, so the denominator is $1{,}000$.

2. Write the digits as the numerator.
   Ignore the decimal point and use $375$:

$$0.375=\frac{375}{1000}$$

3. Simplify the fraction.
   Both $375$ and $1{,}000$ are divisible by $125$:

$$\frac{375\div125}{1000\div125}=\frac{3}{8}$$

Therefore,

$$\boxed{0.375=\frac{3}{8}}$$

Trailing zeros do not change a decimal’s value. For example, $0.5$, $0.50$, and $0.500$ all have the same value, but you should use the place value of the last nonzero digit when choosing the denominator.