Changing decimals to fractions

A decimal can be written as a fraction using the place value table.

The number 0.2 can be put in this table to show the value of each figure

The figure 2 represents 2 tenths. This written as a fraction is .
This can be simplified to    So 0.2 =

Now look at a number which has two figures after the decimal point as in 0.25

The figure 5 represents 5 hundredths. This written as a fraction is
0.25 = + = + =
can be simplified to
So 0.25 =

If a number has three figures after the decimal point, such as 0.125

The figure 5 represents 5 thousandths. This written as a fraction is
0.125 = + +
This is the same as + + =
can be simplified to
So 0.125 =

Top tip!
Here's a quick method for changing decimals to fractions.
Look at the decimal and work out which number has the smallest value. For example in the decimal 0.75 the number 5 has the smallest value as . Write the decimal over hundredths:
0.75 = which can be simplified to

Here's another example. With the decimal 0.375 the number 5 has the smallest value as . Write the decimal over thousandths:
0.375 = which can be simplified to