Fractions in simplest form that have denominators of 2 4 8 16 and 32 produce terminating decimals. Fractions wi th denominators of 6, 12, 18, and 24 produce repeating decimals. What causes the difference? Explain
+129840 Any fraction having a denominator that can be factored solely in terms of 2 or 5 [or both] will terminate
Any fraction whose denominator cannot be factored solely in terms of 2, 5 [or both] will repeat
Thus 2, 4 , 8, 16 and 32 are all powers of 2 and fractions with these denomonators will terminate
But 6, 12, 18 and 24 cannot be factored solely in terms of 2 and/or 5 ....so fractions with these denomonators will repeat
