Question

"What is the difference between a terminating decimal and a repeating decimal? Select the correct choice.

A .A terminating decimal continues and has one or more digits that repeat. A repeating decimal ends
B.A terminating decimal ends. A repeating decimal continues but has no pattern.
C.A terminating decimal continues. A repeating decimal also continues but has no pattern.
D. A terminating decimal ends. A repeating decimal continues and has one or more digits that repeat."

Answer 1

A terminating decimal ends after a fixed number of decimal places, while a repeating decimal continues indefinitely with a repeating pattern of digits. The correct distinction is that a terminating decimal ends, whereas a repeating decimal continues with a pattern of repeated digits. The correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between a terminating decimal and a repeating decimal is outlined in the options provided, where the correct choice is D: A terminating decimal ends and does not continue after a certain number of decimal places. On the other hand, a repeating decimal continues indefinitely and has a set of one or more digits that repeat endlessly.

For example, the decimal 0.5 is a terminating decimal because it ends after one decimal place, while the decimal 0.333... (with the 3 repeating infinitely) is a repeating decimal. Trailing zeros in a decimal are significant, illustrating that a number like 2.300 has four significant figures. Whether zero occurs before or after the decimal point, if the zero is at the end (trailing zero), it is considered significant.