Converting between fractions and decimals, including common equivalents (½ = 0.5, ¼ = 0.25).
Where your child meets this in real life: Converting between formats when calculating or comparing (e.g., test scores)
SEAGReady breaks convert fractions and decimals into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Recognize and convert common fraction-decimal pairs (halves, quarters, fifths, tenths) using memorization or simple division
Convert any terminating fraction to a decimal by treating the fraction bar as a division operator and performing long division
Convert terminating decimals to simplified fractions by identifying place value, creating an equivalent fraction, and simplifying if necessary
Three free sample questions from our convert fractions and decimals course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Aoife is measuring ingredients for a recipe. The recipe asks for half a litre of milk. Her jug only shows decimal markings. What decimal amount should she pour?
Answer: A. 0.5 litres
Half means 1 out of 2 equal parts. One half = 0.5 This is a key pair to memorise: 1/2 = 0.5 Aoife should pour 0.5 litres.
Stuck? Start here: Half means 1 out of 2 equal parts. What decimal represents half?
Caitlin scored 3 out of 8 in a quick-fire maths quiz. To find her score as a decimal, she needs to divide the numerator by the denominator. What is 3/8 as a decimal?
Answer: C. 0.375
The fraction bar means divide: 3/8 = 3 divided by 8 Set up long division: 3.000 divided by 8 30 divided by 8 = 3 remainder 6 --> 0.3 60 divided by 8 = 7 remainder 4 --> 0.37 40 divided by 8 = 5 exactly --> 0.375 3/8 = 0.375
Stuck? Start here: The fraction bar means divide. Set up 3 divided by 8.
Ciara ran 0.25 of the way around the school running track. What fraction of the track is this?
Answer: C. 1/4
The 5 is in the hundredths place. 0.25 = 25 hundredths = 25/100 Simplify by dividing both by 25: 25 divided by 25 = 1 100 divided by 25 = 4 25/100 = 1/4 Ciara ran 1/4 of the track.
Stuck? Start here: Look at the last digit - what place value is the 5 in?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Siobhan is baking scones and the recipe calls for half a cup of sugar. Her measuring cup only shows decimal markings.
What decimal should she measure to get exactly half a cup?
½ = ?
Step 1 of 3
Siobhan is baking scones and the recipe calls for half a cup of sugar. Her measuring cup only shows decimal markings.
What decimal should she measure to get exactly half a cup?
Siobhan should measure 0.5 on her cup to get half.
The key insight: Memorise the key pairs: ½ = 0.5, ¼ = 0.25, ¾ = 0.75, ⅕ = 0.2!
Watch out: ½ = 0.2. The denominator 2 is not the decimal. Half means 5 tenths, which is 0.5.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in convert fractions and decimals, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with convert fractions and decimals? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.