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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^2\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B. (OA must be wrong)


Hello Bunuel

How can we say that the fraction given is a "reduced fraction". Because if it's not than 70/8 is a non-terminating value.
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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nverma wrote:
Hello Bunuel

How can we say that the fraction given is a "reduced fraction". Because if it's not than 70/8 is a non-terminating value.


Denominator already has only 2-s so in this case it's doesn't matter whether the fraction is reduced or not.

For example \(\frac{x}{2^n5^m}\), (where x, n and m are integers) will always be the terminating decimal.

We need reducing in case when we have the prime in denominator other then 2 or 5 to see whether it could be reduced. For example fraction \(\frac{6}{15}\) has 3 as prime in denominator and we need to know if it can be reduced.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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Bunuel please excuse the stupid question but I'm quite weak in these types of questions.

* Does the rule basically say that any integer divided by either 2, 5, a multiple of either, or a product of these multiples will have a finite amount of decimals?

So any integer divided by any multiple of 5 will have a finite amount of decimals, etc.?

* And another basic question: 0 is neither positive nor negative right?

* I also don't completely understand what to do when we don't know whether the fraction is reduced to its lowest form. Can we still apply the same rule?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^2\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.


Hi Bunuel,

One question -- if we know that the denominator only has powers of 5 OR only has powers of 2 -- it's irrelevant if the denominator is great or less than the numerator, the fraction will still end up in a terminating decimal. is that correct?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Expert Reply
russ9 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^2\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.


Hi Bunuel,

One question -- if we know that the denominator only has powers of 5 OR only has powers of 2 -- it's irrelevant if the denominator is great or less than the numerator, the fraction will still end up in a terminating decimal. is that correct?


Yes. \(\frac{integer}{2^n5^m}\), for nonnegative integers n and m, will be a terminating decimal irrespective of the numerator.
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^3\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.



the doubt i have regarding this concept is:

The prime factors of the denominator cannot be anything except 2 and/or 5?
eg. 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal as it has 3 too?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Expert Reply
Ralphcuisak wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^3\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.



the doubt i have regarding this concept is:

The prime factors of the denominator cannot be anything except 2 and/or 5?
eg. 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal as it has 3 too?


Yes, 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal.
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^3\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.




Hi Bunuel,
In this question it was not mentioned that P/Q is in reduced form
So how can we use the 2\sqrt{m}*5\sqrt{n}.

Is it assumed that it is in reduced form??
Thanks in advance
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Expert Reply
suramya26 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^3\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.




Hi Bunuel,
In this question it was not mentioned that P/Q is in reduced form
So how can we use the 2\sqrt{m}*5\sqrt{n}.

Is it assumed that it is in reduced form??
Thanks in advance


If denominator already has only 2-s and/or 5-s then it doesn't matter whether the fraction is reduced or not.

For example \(\frac{x}{2^n5^m}\), (where x, n and m are integers) will always be the terminating decimal.

We need reducing in case when we have the prime in denominator other then 2 or 5 to see whether it could be reduced. For example fraction \(\frac{6}{15}\) has 3 as prime in denominator and we need to know if it can be reduced.
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Thank you, Bunuel. Your explanations are simply awesome..
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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Bunuel

The fraction 10/7 has 15 digits after decimal but then it terminates. Doesn't it make 10/7 a terminating decimal even though the denominator is 7?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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ImranBinkhaled wrote:
Bunuel

The fraction 10/7 has 15 digits after decimal but then it terminates. Doesn't it make 10/7 a terminating decimal even though the denominator is 7?


10/7 does NOT terminate: 1.428571428571428571428571428571428571428571428571428571428...
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Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
vaivish1723 wrote:
Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integers, contain only a finite number of nonzero digits?

(1) p > q
(2) q = 8


Dear All,

I do not understand why (2) alone is sufficient. If p>q and p is a multiple of q then for the decimal equivalent of p/q we should have infinite zero digits. Could you please help me?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8


Please explain

Oa is


Theory:
Reduced fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only \(b\) (denominator) is of the form \(2^n5^m\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are non-negative integers. For example: \(\frac{7}{250}\) is a terminating decimal \(0.028\), as \(250\) (denominator) equals to \(2*5^3\). Fraction \(\frac{3}{30}\) is also a terminating decimal, as \(\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\) and denominator \(10=2*5\).

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B.



Can you please tell me why they are telling us P and Q are positive here?
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Re: Does the decimal equivalent of p/q, where p and q are positive integer [#permalink]
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