MHB Decimal expansion to rational number

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The discussion focuses on converting the decimal expansion 0.334444... into a rational number. The expression is broken down into a finite part, 33 × 10^-2, and an infinite geometric series starting from n=3. Participants suggest summing the infinite series and combining it with the finite part to find the equivalent rational form. The final conclusion is that 0.33444... can be expressed as 301/900. This demonstrates the method of representing repeating decimals as fractions.
Dustinsfl
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I am given the number $.334444\ldots$

So we have $0+33\times 10^{-2} + \sum\limits_{n=3}^{\infty}4\times 10^{-n}$

Is there a way to put this all together in one geometric series?
 
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dwsmith said:
I am given the number $.334444\ldots$

So we have $0+33\times 10^{-2} + \sum\limits_{n=3}^{\infty}4\times 10^{-n}$

Is there a way to put this all together in one geometric series?

No, you sum the infinite geometric series, and add \(33/100\). Or sum:

\(\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}4\times 10^{-n}=(4/10)(10/9)\)

and subtract \(11/100\)

CB
 
dwsmith said:
I am given the number $.334444\ldots$

So we have $0+33\times 10^{-2} + \sum\limits_{n=3}^{\infty}4\times 10^{-n}$

Is there a way to put this all together in one geometric series?

$\displaystyle .33444...= \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{900} = \frac{301}{900}= \frac{1}{100}\ \frac{301}{9}= \frac{301}{1000}\ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} 10^{-n}$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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