A decimal is a number that includes a decimal point, used to represent values that are not whole numbers. It's a way of writing numbers in our base-10 system.

The number to the left of the decimal point is the whole number part. The numbers to the right represent the fractional part.

Each digit to the right of the decimal point has a specific place value: tenths (1/10), hundredths (1/100), thousandths (1/1000), and so on.

Converting a decimal to a fraction is a straightforward process based on place value.

Step 1: Write the digits of the decimal as the numerator (the top number of the fraction).

Step 2: The denominator (the bottom number) is 1 followed by as many zeros as there are decimal places.

Step 3: Simplify the fraction to its lowest terms by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

To convert a fraction into a decimal, you perform a division operation.

Simply divide the numerator by the denominator.

The result might be a terminating decimal (which ends) or a repeating decimal (which has a pattern of digits that repeats forever).

A percentage is just a special type of fraction where the denominator is always 100.

To convert a decimal to a percentage, you multiply the decimal by 100 and add a percent sign (%).

A simple shortcut is to move the decimal point two places to the right.

We use decimals constantly in our daily lives, often without thinking about it.

Money: Prices are expressed using decimals. For example, $12.99 means 12 whole dollars and 99 hundredths of a dollar.

Measurement: The metric system is entirely based on decimals. A length of 2.5 meters or a weight of 65.8 kilograms are common examples.

Technology and Sports: Statistics like a baseball player's batting average (.321) or data transfer speeds are expressed as decimals.