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Repeating Decimals and Geometric Series

This activity begins by reviewing conversions between fractions and decimals with an emphasis on repeating decimals. The formula for the partial sum of a geometric series is bypassed and students are directed to use find partial sums by using the "multiply, subtract, and solve" technique which mimics the derivation of the formula for the partial sum of a geometric series. This sets the stage for students to quickly find the fraction representation of a repeating decimal number. This activity would be well-suited as a prelude to introducing infinite and partial sums of geometric sequences. http://www.mathedpage.org/ copyright information: http://www.mathedpage.org/rights.html

Identifier: 
http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityCollegesDevelopmentalMathExchange/RepeatingDecimalsandGeometricSeries?bc=;Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityCollegesDevelopmentalMathExchange.IntermediateAlgebra;Coll_Group_SanDiegoCommunityColle
Rating: 
Average: 2.9 (339 votes)
Cataloger: 
Bohdan Rhodehamel
Publisher: 
Developmental Mathematics Collection
Rights: 
CC BY-NC-SA