Understanding the Number: Three and Six-Tenths
To interpret the phrase "three and six-tenths," we need to break down what this means in numerical form.
Breaking Down the Phrase
- Three: This indicates the whole number part, which is 3.
- Six-tenths: This represents a decimal fraction. The term "tenths" means that the number is divided into ten equal parts, and "six" indicates that we are considering six of those parts.
Combining the Parts
- When you combine the whole number (3) and the decimal fraction (six-tenths), you express this as:
- 3 (whole number) + 0.6 (decimal for six-tenths) = 3.6
Thus, "three and six-tenths" translates to the decimal 3.6.
Analyzing the Options
Now, let's evaluate the provided options to confirm our understanding:
- a) 3.6: Correct. This represents three and six-tenths.
- b) 36: Incorrect. This is a whole number, not a decimal.
- c) 0.36: Incorrect. This represents thirty-six hundredths, not six-tenths.
- d) 6.3: Incorrect. This means six and three-tenths, which is not what we are looking for.
Conclusion
The correct answer is option a) 3.6, which accurately represents "three and six-tenths." Understanding decimals and fractions is crucial in mathematics, and this exercise helps clarify how to express mixed numbers in decimal form.