WAECMathematics2023

Express 0.25 as a fraction in lowest terms.

A1/2
B1/4CORRECT
C1/5
D25/100
AI
Toasta AI Explanation
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
**The reasoning** When you see 0.25, read it as "twenty-five hundredths" because the last digit (5) is in the hundredths place. So: 0.25 = 25/100 Now simplify by finding the highest common factor (HCF) of 25 and 100. Both divide by 25: 25 ÷ 25 = 1 100 ÷ 25 = 4 Therefore: **0.25 = 1/4** **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **A (1/2):** This is 0.5, not 0.25. Students confuse "half" with "quarter" when rushing. - **C (1/5):** This equals 0.2 or 0.20. Close, but not quite 0.25. - **D (25/100):** This is *correct* but **not in lowest terms**! The question asks for the simplified form. Always reduce your fractions. **Quick takeaway** Write the decimal as a fraction over the place value (hundredths = /100), then simplify by dividing top and bottom by their HCF. The decimal 0.25 is exactly one quarter—picture splitting ₦1 into four equal parts!
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