became a town there
were no numbers like us living there, only
fractions. The ruling family decided that fractions
were a vulgar form and they decreed that from this day
forth all unit fractions with 10, 100, 1000 etc. as a
denominator would take on the form .1, .01, .001, etc.
This form is called a decimal. After a period of time
all fractions became decimals and the fractional form
was prohibited. That’s why I suspect that somewhere
there were numbers that still proudly wore a
fractional form. So I decided to go on a journey to
find these inhabitants that call themselves fractions.
And sure enough I found you! And even better I now
know that you’re family - which means we should live
on the same number line as you.”
4/6 was stunned by this revelation.
“I can’t imagine ever being called point 66666 etc. etc. etc.,” said 4/6.
“It will take time, but you’ll get used to it,” replied Point 4. Soon you will be proud to wear both forms.”
As Point 4 predicted, after some time decimal numbers joined fractions on their number lines. Word spread quickly that all fractions could change into their decimal equivalent costume.
“But how do I do that?” asked 3/4 who was quietly standing by.
“You have to think of yourself as a fraction with 10 or 100 in your denominator,” replied 4/6.
“I can't do 10 easily,” said 3/4, “but I can change my bottom number to 100 if I use 25 as my cloning number, because 4 x 25 = 100.”
4/6 was stunned by this revelation.
“I can’t imagine ever being called point 66666 etc. etc. etc.,” said 4/6.
“It will take time, but you’ll get used to it,” replied Point 4. Soon you will be proud to wear both forms.”
As Point 4 predicted, after some time decimal numbers joined fractions on their number lines. Word spread quickly that all fractions could change into their decimal equivalent costume.
“But how do I do that?” asked 3/4 who was quietly standing by.
“You have to think of yourself as a fraction with 10 or 100 in your denominator,” replied 4/6.
“I can't do 10 easily,” said 3/4, “but I can change my bottom number to 100 if I use 25 as my cloning number, because 4 x 25 = 100.”