Decimal to Fraction Conversions for SHSAT & SAT Success

One of the simplest ways to boost your SHSAT math performance is to save time on routine calculations. A great place to start is memorizing a handful of common fractions and their decimal equivalents—so you can recognize them instantly and keep moving with confidence. Below are some of the most useful fraction–decimal pairs to know.

1/2 = 0.5

1/4 = 0.25

1/8 = 0.125

1/9 = 0.1̅1̅ (think of it as 1/3 of 1/3)

3/8 = 0.375

3/4 = 0.75

5/8 = 0.625

1/3 = 0.3̅3̅

2/3 = 0.6̅6̅

You may already know 1/2 and 1/4, but having the eighths (and the repeating thirds) in your arsenal can be especially helpful on the SHSAT. When you spot one of these decimals, try converting it to a fraction right away—your work often becomes much quicker and cleaner.

Here’s an example from a practice test (2018 SHSAT Test A, Question 67):

67. In a scale diagram, 0.125 inch represents 125 feet. How many inches represent 1 foot?

A) 0.001 in

B) 0.01 in

C) 0.1 in

D) 0.12 in

By quickly recognizing that 0.125 is equal to 1/8, we can do the computation in fraction form and simplify our work.

If you’d like to see the full solution step-by-step, you can find the answer and walkthrough in our instructional video lesson (also available on our YouTube channel).