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Of the two fractions and , which has a terminating decimal expansion?

Class 10Real NumbersNumber Systems
  • AOnly , because 84 is the larger denominator
  • BOnly , because while
  • CBoth, because both denominators are even
  • DNeither, because 7 does not divide 10

Step-by-Step Solution

Only the primes in the lowest-terms denominator matter. contains nothing but 2s and 5s, so terminates. In the 7 cancels to give , and still holds a 3, so it is 0.08333… — non-terminating recurring. Being even is not enough, and the numerator plays no part.
Answer: B) Only , because while

Key idea: When does a rational number terminate?

**Theorem**: A rational number (in lowest terms) has a terminating decimal expansion if and only if has the form **2ᵐ × 5ⁿ** (m, n ≥ 0).

**Examples**:
- → terminates → terminates → does NOT terminate… recurring.)
- → does NOT terminate (because of the 3).

**Why**: any decimal expansion is a fraction with denominator 10ⁿ = 2ⁿ × 5ⁿ. To convert to decimal form, you need to ONLY have 2s and 5s as primes — otherwise you can't multiply numerator/denominator into a power of 10.

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