The correct answer is: $\frac{1}{3}$
Explanation
- If the decimal represents the repeating decimal $0.\overline{3}$ (an infinite string of 3s), it equals exactly $\frac{1}{3}$.
- If you mean the finite truncation $0.33333333333$ (eleven 3s), that is the rational number $\frac{33333333333}{100000000000}$, which is an approximation of $\frac{1}{3}$.
Steps
- For the repeating decimal:
- Let $x=0.\overline{3}$
- Then $10x=3.\overline{3}$
- Subtract: $9x=3$
- So $x=\frac{3}{9}=\frac{1}{3}$
- For the finite 11-digit decimal:
- $0.33333333333=\dfrac{33333333333}{100000000000}$ (already in lowest terms)
Therefore, normally $0.33333333333$ is taken to represent $0.\overline{3}$, whose exact fraction is $\frac{1}{3}$.