1/4, 0.25

[Silverobama]

Hi,

How to say these two fractions in English?


1/4 one in four, one of four, one four?

0.25 zero point two five?


Thanks a lot

 

[ichibanrfx]

NOT A TEACHER

Hi Silverobama,

I think there are several ways to say the numbers.

For example, if you are using 1/4 teaspoon (for cooking) it can be read "a quarter teaspoon" or "one forth of a teaspoon".

As for the 0.25, the zero would usually be left out. So it would be "point two five". If the person wanted to emphasize the zero, it would be read "zero point two five".

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[birdeen's call]

1/4 is a quarter. It is also correct to say "one-fourth". A strange but technically correct of saying this would be "one over four".

Yes, 0.25 can be read "zero, point, two, five". It can also be read "twenty-five hundredths".

 

[Silverobama]

Oh, thanks a lot. So how to say these two fractions in this sentence?



1/4 and 0.25 are different ways of representing the same fraction.


Thanks a lot

 

[ichibanrfx]

Oh, thanks a lot. So how to say these two fractions in this sentence?



1/4 and 0.25 are different ways of representing the same fraction.


Thanks a lot

NOT A TEACHER

"One-fourth and point two five...", "A fourth and point two five...", or "One over four and point two five..."

I think all three of these would be appropriate.

Jeff

 

[Drear Pooson]

Oh, thanks a lot. So how to say these two fractions in this sentence?



1/4 and 0.25 are different ways of representing the same fraction.


Thanks a lot

Not a teacher.

To talk about the quantities 1/4 and 0.25, any of the suggestions given above work nicely.

However, if you are specifically referring to the symbols 1/4 and 0.25 and it is important that your listener understand this, I think saying "one over four" and "zero point two five" (or something like that) is necessary -- especially if your listener cannot see the symbols as you are speaking about them. (The spoken words "twenty-five hundredths" can correctly be transcribed as 0.25, 25/100, or even twenty-five hundredths, and if I hear the words "one fourth," "twenty-five hundredths," and "fraction" in the same sentence, I am unlikely to interpret "twenty-five hundredths" as 0.25.)

Also, I don't think I would say 1/4 and 0.25 "represent the same fraction." I would maybe say they "are equivalent" or that they "represent the same quantity."

 

[5jj]

For me, a/one quarter is far more natural than a/one fourth. I would use one over four only if I were calculating, not if I were naming the fraction.

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