When converting between decimals and fractions, it is important to remember what each of the places after the decimal point mean!

 

The first place after the decimal point is the tenths, the second is the hundredths and the third is the thousandths.

 

 

Decimal numbers with 1 decimal place can be changed into tenths.

Whole numbers stay as whole numbers.

 

 

Decimal numbers with 2 decimal places can be changed into hundredths.

Whole numbers stay as whole numbers.

 

 

Decimal numbers with 3 decimal places can be changed into thousandths.

Whole numbers stay as whole numbers.

 

 

The reverse is also true.

 

Let's try two example questions.

 

Example 1

Write the following fraction as a decimal.

 

5

1000

 

Answer

5 thousandths is 0.005 with 3 decimal places.

Use zeros to fill in the spaces.

The answer is 0.005.

 

Example 2

Write the following mixed number as a decimal.

 

4	15
	1000

 

Answer

15 thousandths is 0.015 with 3 decimal places.

The 4 is a whole number and stays the same.

The answer is 4.015.

 

 

Now it's time to try some of these yourself. 

Good luck!