Terminating Decimals Calculator

When a fraction is converted to a decimal, it will either terminate (end) or repeat a pattern of digits forever.

• Terminating Decimal: A decimal that ends. Example: 1/4 = 0.25.
• Repeating Decimal: A decimal that has a digit or block of digits that repeats infinitely. Example: 1/3 = 0.333...

The Rule:

A fraction will result in a terminating decimal if, and only if, its denominator's prime factors are only 2s and/or 5s, after the fraction has been simplified to its lowest terms.

• 1/8 terminates because 8 = 2 × 2 × 2.
• 1/6 repeats because 6 = 2 × 3 (it has a prime factor of 3).