i need a better way

-1.164

Forget  the -1 part for a second

.164  =   164 / 1000  =    82 / 500  =  41 / 250

Since 41 is a prime number [ and doesn't divide 250 ] we can stop at this point

So.....  - .1.164  =

- [ 1  + 41/ 250 ]    convert a mixed number to a fraction

- [   (250 * 1  + 41 )  / 250 ]   =   -  291/ 250

Hope that helps......!!!!

can 291/250 be reduced any?

Note

291  =  3 * 97

250  =  5 * 5 * 5 * 2

Since they have no factors in common, bubbletanks, the fraction is in lowest terms !!!!!

This will always happen when we reduce the decimal part represented as a fraction to lowest terms, first,  like I did.....!!!!,

okay :(