What defines decimal fractions?

What defines decimal fractions?

• A. Fractions with a numerator of zero
• B. Fractions whose denominators are powers of ten
• C. Fractions where both numerator and denominator are whole numbers
• D. Fractions that equal a whole number

Answer: (B)

Decimal fractions are specifically defined as fractions whose denominators are powers of ten. This means that they can be expressed in a decimal format, where the denominator can be 10, 100, 1000, and so on. This relationship to powers of ten is what allows decimal fractions to be converted directly into decimal notation, such as 0.1, 0.25, or 0.75, which are all examples of decimal fractions. In contrast, a fraction with a numerator of zero does not qualify as a decimal fraction since it simply equals zero, not a decimal representation involving powers of ten. Similarly, while fractions where both numerator and denominator are whole numbers indeed exist, they do not specifically indicate that the denominator must be a power of ten. Lastly, a fraction that equals a whole number is not a decimal fraction in itself; rather, it could represent an integer, but it does not necessarily conform to the characteristics of decimal fractions unless expressed in the appropriate decimal format. Thus, options that indicate characteristics outside the scope of powers of ten do not accurately define decimal fractions.

Decimal fractions are specifically defined as fractions whose denominators are powers of ten. This means that they can be expressed in a decimal format, where the denominator can be 10, 100, 1000, and so on. This relationship to powers of ten is what allows decimal fractions to be converted directly into decimal notation, such as 0.1, 0.25, or 0.75, which are all examples of decimal fractions.

In contrast, a fraction with a numerator of zero does not qualify as a decimal fraction since it simply equals zero, not a decimal representation involving powers of ten. Similarly, while fractions where both numerator and denominator are whole numbers indeed exist, they do not specifically indicate that the denominator must be a power of ten. Lastly, a fraction that equals a whole number is not a decimal fraction in itself; rather, it could represent an integer, but it does not necessarily conform to the characteristics of decimal fractions unless expressed in the appropriate decimal format. Thus, options that indicate characteristics outside the scope of powers of ten do not accurately define decimal fractions.