Carpentry & Building Construction © 2004

Converting Fractions to Decimals

Measuring the size of objects and distances involves fractions. Sometimes a fraction needs to be changed into a decimal. Carpenters may use a calculator to convert from one form to the other, or they may use a conversion table.

1. Key in the digits of the numerator.
2. Press the ÷ (divide) key.
3. Key in the digits of the denominator.
4. Press the = (equals) key.
5. Round the decimal to the nearest ten-thousandth.

When converting a mixed number, such as 4 5/64, keep the whole number (4) and convert the fraction (5/64). Combine the whole number and decimal to read as one number.

 Practice Exercise

Decimal-Fraction Equivalents table (19.0K)

1.		Convert 3 3/16 to a decimal and round to the nearest ten-thousandth.
			A)	0.1875
			B)	1.1875
			C)	3.1875
			D)	3.19
2.		The decimal equivalent of 1/3 is closest to
			A)	0.0625
			B)	0.1250
			C)	0.3125
			D)	0.5625
3.		The decimal equivalent of 11/32 to the nearest ten-thousandth is
			A)	0.3400
			B)	0.3438
			C)	3.3437
			D)	11.3437
4.		A 5/8'' subfloor and 25/32'' flooring were installed in a kitchen. The total floor thickness as a decimal is
			A)	1.4063''
			B)	1.6250''
			C)	0.6250'
			D)	0.7812''
5.		The thickness of the baseboard molding you will be installing is 0.6875'', or
			A)	3/8''
			B)	3/4 #039;'
			C)	5/16''
			D)	11/16''