Problem 3 - Prealgebra

Question

Write out the name of each number in words. $$0.015$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The number 0.015 is written as 'zero point zero one five' or 'zero and fifteen thousandths.'

Step 1: Identify the whole number part

The given number is 0.015. Look for the part of the number before the decimal point. Here, the whole number part is 0.

Step 2: Write the whole number part in words

The whole number part 0 is written as 'zero'.

Step 3: Identify the fractional part

Everything after the decimal point constitutes the fractional part. For 0.015, the fractional part is 0.015.

Step 4: Write the fractional part in words

Since 0.015 is read digit by digit after the decimal point, write it as 'zero one five'. It can also be expressed in terms of the specific decimal place, so since it ends in the 3rd decimal place, or the thousandths place, it can be verbally expressed as 'fifteen thousandths.'

Step 5: Combine the whole and fractional parts

Combine the words from Steps 2 and 4 to articulate the number 0.015 completely in words: 'zero point zero one five' or 'zero and fifteen thousandths.'

Key Concepts

Writing Numbers in Words

When writing numbers in words, it helps to break the number down into its individual components. Start by identifying the whole number part and the decimal part. In the number 0.015, the whole number part is simply 0.
Next, write the whole number in words. In this case, it is 'zero'. The decimal part is read as 'point' followed by saying each digit separately. Thus, 0.015 becomes 'zero point zero one five'.
Additionally, it’s also common to express decimal fractions by their place value. So you could also say 'zero and fifteen thousandths' to describe 0.015. This approach helps convey the precision of the number's magnitude.

Place Value

Understanding place value is pivotal when dealing with decimal numbers. It determines the value of a digit based on its position regarding the decimal point.
For instance, in 0.015, '0' in the whole number represents zero units, while '1' is in the hundredths place and '5' is in the thousandths place.
The position of a digit in relation to the decimal point tells us whether it is worth a tenth, a hundredth, a thousandth, and so on. Each movement to the right of the decimal decreases the place value tenfold. This systematic arrangement helps in converting the numbers into words, facilitating easier understanding and communication of exact values.

Decimal Fractions

Decimal fractions are a way of representing fractions where the denominator is a power of ten, such as 10, 100, 1000, etc. In decimals, fractions show the part of a whole.
For instance, the number 0.015 is a decimal fraction where '15' is over 1000, thus 'fifteen thousandths'.
Using decimal fractions can simplify operations like addition, subtraction, or comparisons, especially in everyday arithmetic or measurement tasks. They offer a uniform way to represent fractions for easier calculation and conversion to words, showing the exactness needed in many mathematical operations.