Write $\tfrac{3}{8}$ as a decimal and as a percentage.

Divide: $3\div8=0.375$. Multiply by 100 for a percentage: $0.375\times100=37.5\%$. Answer: 0.375 and 37.5%

Work out $3\tfrac{2}{5}-1\tfrac{3}{4}$.

Improper fractions: $\tfrac{17}{5}-\tfrac{7}{4}$. Common denominator 20: $\tfrac{68}{20}-\tfrac{35}{20}=\tfrac{33}{20}$. As a mixed number: $1\tfrac{13}{20}$. Answer: $1\tfrac{13}{20}$

Work out $2\tfrac{1}{4}\times1\tfrac{5}{9}$.

$\tfrac{9}{4}\times\tfrac{14}{9}$. Cancel the 9s: $\tfrac{14}{4}=\tfrac{7}{2}$. $=3\tfrac{1}{2}$. Answer: $3\tfrac{1}{2}$

350 students are in a year group. $\tfrac{2}{7}$ of them walk to school. $\tfrac{3}{5}$ of the rest come by bus. The others come by car. How many come by car?

Walk: $\tfrac{2}{7}\times350=100$. Rest: $350-100=250$. Bus: $\tfrac{3}{5}\times250=150$. Car: $250-150=100$. Answer: 100

Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Fractions and Decimals: Exam Questions

Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Fractions and Decimals: Exam Questions and Answers

Fractions and Decimals questions with full solutions for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1), Higher tier. Read the 5 worked examples first, then cover each solution and redo it yourself.

5 worked examples

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Start with one question on fractions. Stuck? Take a hint. No sign-in needed.

Work out

\frac{1}{6} + \frac{3}{4}

. Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

Choose your answer · keys 1–4

\frac{11}{12}

\frac{1}{8}

\frac{2}{5}

\frac{1}{6}

What this topic covers

Fractions, decimals & percentages: Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages and calculating with them.
Fractions 1: Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.
Fractions 2: Multiply and divide fractions, including mixed numbers.
Fractions 3: Fractions in real-world problems.
Decimals: Decimal arithmetic, ordering and place value.

Fractions and Decimals worked examples

Worked example 1: Fraction to decimal and percentage

Write $\frac{3}{8}$ as a decimal and as a percentage.

Solution

Divide: $3 \div 8 = 0.375$ .
Multiply by 100 for a percentage: $0.375 \times 100 = 37.5 %$ .

3 steps

Tip: Learn the eighths: 1/8 = 0.125.

Worked example 2: Subtracting mixed numbers

Work out $3 \frac{2}{5} - 1 \frac{3}{4}$ .

Solution

Improper fractions: $\frac{17}{5} - \frac{7}{4}$ .
Common denominator 20: $\frac{68}{20} - \frac{35}{20} = \frac{33}{20}$ .
As a mixed number: $1 \frac{13}{20}$ .

4 steps · 1 to fill in

Tip: Converting to improper fractions avoids borrowing errors.

Worked example 3: Multiplying mixed numbers

Work out $2 \frac{1}{4} \times 1 \frac{5}{9}$ .

Solution

$\frac{9}{4} \times \frac{14}{9}$ .
Cancel the 9s: $\frac{14}{4} = \frac{7}{2}$ .
$= 3 \frac{1}{2}$ .

4 steps · 1 to fill in

Tip: Never multiply the whole numbers and fractions separately.

Worked example 4: Fractions in context

350 students are in a year group. $\frac{2}{7}$ of them walk to school. $\frac{3}{5}$ of the rest come by bus. The others come by car. How many come by car?

Solution

Walk: $\frac{2}{7} \times 350 = 100$ .
Rest: $350 - 100 = 250$ .
Bus: $\frac{3}{5} \times 250 = 150$ .
Car: $250 - 150 = 100$ .

5 steps · 1 to fill in

Tip: 'Of the rest' means use the remaining amount, not the original total.

Worked example 5: Decimal multiplication and division

Work out (a) $0.36 \times 4.5$ (b) $7.2 \div 0.06$ .

Solution

(a) $36 \times 45 = 1620$ ; there are 3 decimal places in total, so 1.620 = 1.62.
(b) Multiply both numbers by 100: $720 \div 6 = 120$ .

3 steps

Tip: When dividing, make the divisor a whole number first.

Every question and worked example here is original, written for IGCSE Math Revision rather than copied from Pearson papers, and each answer was re-solved independently before publishing.

Questions students ask

Which Edexcel IGCSE Maths papers test fractions and decimals?

Either Higher tier paper, 1H or 2H, can test fractions and decimals: both cover the whole Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) specification and both allow a calculator. Show your method, because most marks are for working.

Where can I practise more fractions and decimals questions?

In the IGCSE student hub: Unit 1 (Number) has more exam-style questions on this topic, each with a mark scheme. Practice starts with a 7-day free trial; the worked examples and questions on this page are free.

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Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Fractions and Decimals: Exam Questions and Answers

Try it first

What this topic covers

Fractions and Decimals worked examples

Worked example 1: Fraction to decimal and percentage

Solution

Worked example 2: Subtracting mixed numbers

Solution

Worked example 3: Multiplying mixed numbers

Solution

Worked example 4: Fractions in context

Solution

Worked example 5: Decimal multiplication and division

Solution

Revise fractions and decimals for the exam

Questions students ask

Practise fractions and decimals with your progress saved

More Unit 1 topics: Number