What is 20.42 as a Fraction?

Learn how to convert 20.42 to a fraction with step-by-step instructions

Quick Answer

20.42 as a fraction is:

1021/50

This is the simplest form of the fraction

20.42 Decimal to Fraction Calculator

Convert Any Decimal to a Fraction

Enter a decimal number to see its fraction equivalent

How to Convert 20.42 to a Fraction

General Method: Converting Decimals to Fractions

Follow these steps to convert any decimal to a fraction

Step 1: Count Decimal Places

Count the number of digits after the decimal point

Example: 0.25 has 2 decimal places

Step 2: Multiply by Power of 10

Multiply by 10 raised to the number of decimal places

0.25 × 100 = 25

Step 3: Create Fraction

Use the result as numerator over the multiplier as denominator

25/100

Step 4: Simplify

Reduce the fraction if possible by dividing both numbers by their GCD

25/100 = 1/4

Converting 20.42 to a Fraction

Let's apply the method to convert 20.42

1

Count the decimal places in 20.42

20.42
There are 2 digits after the decimal point
2

Multiply by 10 (100)

20.42 × 100 = 2042
Moving the decimal point 2 places right
3

Write as a fraction

2042/100
Numerator: 2042, Denominator: 100
4

Simplify the fraction

2042/100 = 1021/50
Divide both numbers by their greatest common factor (2)

Final Result

20.42 = 1021/50

Tips and Notes

  • The denominator will always be a power of 10 for terminating decimals
  • Each decimal place corresponds to multiplying by 10 (e.g., 2 places = 100)
  • Very small decimals like 20.42 often result in fractions with large denominators
DecimalFractionComparison
2.042102.1/50Smaller
20.421021/50Current Value
204.210210/50Larger
2042102100/50Larger
204201021000/50Larger

Additional Information

Scientific Notation

20.42 can be written as 1021 × 10⁻2 in scientific notation

Percentage

20.42 is equal to 2042.000% as a percentage

Common Calculations with 20.42

Quick Reference Guide

Common calculations and conversions with 20.42

Multiplication

  • 20.42 × 10 = 204.20000000000002
  • 20.42 × 100 = 2042.0000000000002
  • 20.42 × 1000 = 20420
  • 20.42 × 10000 = 204200.00000000003
  • 20.42 × 50 = 1021

Division

  • 20.42 ÷ 2 = 10.21
  • 20.42 ÷ 5 = 4.0840000000000005
  • 20.42 ÷ 10 = 2.0420000000000003
  • 20.42 ÷ 1/20.42 = 50

20.42 in Different Number Systems

Decimal

20.42

Scientific Notation

1021 × 10⁻2

Percentage

2042.000%

Fraction

1021/50

Parts Per Million

20420000 PPM

Binary

0.0100 0010

Real-World Applications of 20.42

Where You Might Encounter 20.42

Scientific Applications

  • • Microscopic measurements (20420000 micrometers)
  • • Chemical concentrations
  • • Statistical probability calculations
  • • Error margins in precise measurements

Engineering

  • • Manufacturing tolerances
  • • Electronic component specifications
  • • Quality control measurements
  • • Precision engineering