If 0.12 is written as a fraction, what is the numerator when expressed in the lowest terms?

• A. 3
• B. 2
• C. 1
• D. 4

Answer: (A)

To convert the decimal 0.12 into a fraction, we first recognize that the decimal is equivalent to ( \frac{12}{100} ) because the two digits after the decimal indicate that it represents twelve hundredths.

Next, we simplify the fraction ( \frac{12}{100} ) by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator. The GCD of 12 and 100 is 4.

We can now divide both the numerator and the denominator by 4:

[

\frac{12 \div 4}{100 \div 4} = \frac{3}{25}

]

This reveals that the simplified fraction representation of 0.12 is ( \frac{3}{25} ).

Therefore, when asked for the numerator of this fraction in its lowest terms, it is 3. This demonstrates that the process of converting a decimal to a fraction involves identifying the equivalent fraction form and then simplifying it to its lowest terms.