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What is a decimal?

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Quick answer

A decimal is a way of writing numbers that aren't whole, using a decimal point to separate the whole part from the fractional part. In 3. 75, the '3' is the whole number and the '. 75' is the part less than one — based on tenths, hundredths, and so on.

Key things to understand

  1. A decimal point separates the whole-number part from the fraction-of-one part.
  2. Each place after the point is ten times smaller: tenths, hundredths, thousandths.
  3. Decimals are just another way to write fractions with denominators of 10, 100, 1000…
  4. They make it easy to compare and calculate amounts — money uses decimals (₹3.75).
  5. 0.5 = ½, 0.25 = ¼, 0.75 = ¾ — decimals and fractions are interchangeable.

People also ask

What does each digit after the decimal point mean?
Each place is ten times smaller than the one before: the first is tenths (0.1), the second hundredths (0.01), the third thousandths (0.001), and so on.
How do you turn a fraction into a decimal?
Divide the top number by the bottom number. For example, ¾ = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.
Why are decimals useful?
They make numbers easy to compare, line up, and calculate — which is why money, measurements, and most everyday maths use them.