Final answer:
Fractions are primarily used for tangible or visual representations of parts of a whole, such as ingredients in a recipe, while decimals are used for precise measurements and financial data. The choice depends on the context and the desire for clarity or visual illustration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using fractions or decimals to present information depends on the context and the nature of the data. Fractions are typically used when you want to represent a part of a whole or a ratio in a more tangible or visual way, such as when discussing parts of a pie or when following a recipe. On the other hand, decimals are often used for more precise measurements or when dealing with currency, as in financial transactions. Both fractions and decimals have their place in mathematics and are valuable for various computations and data representations.
For instance, when talking about the dispersion of ingredients in a mixture or the proportion of different demographic groups within a population, fractions can be very intuitive. They help emphasize the relationship between the part and the whole. However, when comparing metric measurements or working with calculations that require precision, such as scientific notation or unit rates, decimals provide clarity and are easier to manipulate mathematically.