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Mathematics 16 Online
OpenStudy (paigephay_31903):

What is the rational number equivalent to 3.12121212121212...?

OpenStudy (stellabella146):

take the 12, can put it on top with two 9s. so 3 12/99

OpenStudy (stellabella146):

if it was 3.123 it would be 3 123/999

OpenStudy (paigephay_31903):

Thanks

OpenStudy (stellabella146):

in other words \[3 \frac{ 12 }{ 99 }\]

OpenStudy (holsteremission):

\[\begin{align*}3.\overline{12}&=3+\frac{12}{100}+\frac{12}{10000}+\frac{12}{1000000}+\cdots\\[1ex] &=3+12\sum_{i=1}^\infty\left(\frac{1}{100}\right)^i\\[1ex] &=3+\frac{\frac{12}{100}}{1-\frac{1}{100}}\\[1ex] &=3+\frac{12}{99}\\[1ex] &=\frac{209}{99}\\[1ex] &=\frac{103}{33} \end{align*}\]Another way to get the same answer: \[\begin{align*} 3.\overline{12}&=x\\[1ex] 312.\overline{12}&=100x\\[1ex] 209&=99x\\ x&=\frac{103}{33} \end{align*}\]

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