Question

Without using division, can we tell from the denominator of a fraction, whether the decimal form of the fraction will be a terminating decimal? Find out.

Answer 1

If the prime factorization of the denominator of a fraction has only factors as 2 or 5 or a combination of 2 and 5 then the decimal form of that fractional will be a terminating decimal form. 

Consider the fractions 17/20 and 19/6

Now, 20 = 2 x 2 x 5, and 6 = 2 x 3 

∴ 17/20 is terminating decimal form while 19/6 is recurring decimal form.