What is 5.42 as a Fraction?

Learn how to convert 5.42 to a fraction with step-by-step instructions

Quick Answer

5.42 as a fraction is:

271/50

This is the simplest form of the fraction

5.42 Decimal to Fraction Calculator

Convert Any Decimal to a Fraction

Enter a decimal number to see its fraction equivalent

How to Convert 5.42 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 5.42 to a Fraction

Let's apply the method to convert 5.42

1

Count the decimal places in 5.42

5.42
There are 2 digits after the decimal point
2

Multiply by 10 (100)

5.42 × 100 = 542
Moving the decimal point 2 places right
3

Write as a fraction

542/100
Numerator: 542, Denominator: 100
4

Simplify the fraction

542/100 = 271/50
Divide both numbers by their greatest common factor (2)

Final Result

5.42 = 271/50

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 5.42 often result in fractions with large denominators
DecimalFractionComparison
0.54227.1/50Smaller
5.42271/50Current Value
54.22710/50Larger
54227100/50Larger
5420271000/50Larger

Additional Information

Scientific Notation

5.42 can be written as 271 × 10⁻2 in scientific notation

Percentage

5.42 is equal to 542.000% as a percentage

Common Calculations with 5.42

Quick Reference Guide

Common calculations and conversions with 5.42

Multiplication

  • 5.42 × 10 = 54.2
  • 5.42 × 100 = 542
  • 5.42 × 1000 = 5420
  • 5.42 × 10000 = 54200
  • 5.42 × 50 = 271

Division

  • 5.42 ÷ 2 = 2.71
  • 5.42 ÷ 5 = 1.084
  • 5.42 ÷ 10 = 0.542
  • 5.42 ÷ 1/5.42 = 50

5.42 in Different Number Systems

Decimal

5.42

Scientific Notation

271 × 10⁻2

Percentage

542.000%

Fraction

271/50

Parts Per Million

5420000 PPM

Binary

0.0100 0010

Real-World Applications of 5.42

Where You Might Encounter 5.42

Scientific Applications

  • • Microscopic measurements (5420000 micrometers)
  • • Chemical concentrations
  • • Statistical probability calculations
  • • Error margins in precise measurements

Engineering

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