1) To convert 3/5 to a decimal, we first multiply the numerator and denominator by 2 to obtain 6/10. One tenth is 0.1, so 6/10 is 6 times 0.1, or 0.6.
2) To convert 3 8/10 to a decimal, we see that 3 can be seen as a whole-number decimal, and 8/10 is 8 times 0.1, or 0.8. Adding these, we obtain 3.8.
3) We cannot write 5/9 as a decimal that terminates, but we can approximate 5/9 as a decimal. First, we multiply the numerator and denominator by 111, giving 555/999. Then we say that 999 is approximately 1000, so 555/999 is approximately 555/1000. Since 1/1000 is 0.001, then 555/999 is approximately 555 times 0.001, or 0.555.
