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如何表達英文的小數點及分號


表達英文的小數點及分號

快來看看如何用英文正確表達小數點及分數的方式吧!

1.用英文唸出及寫下小數點的方式

Last week we looked at big numbers. This week, let’s take a look at how to deal with small numbers, and by that mean fractions and decimals.

When using decimals, the numbers after the decimal point (i.e. after the units) are always referred to individually, and never as a “whole” number; thus:-

35.7 thirty-five point seven
35.70 thirty-five point seven zero (NOT thirty-five point seventy.)
35.705 thirty-five point seven zero five (NOT thirty-five point seven hundred and five.)

This is because the numbers after the decimal point simply refer to the number of tenths, hundredths, thousands and so on.


2.用英文唸出及寫下分數的方式(I)

With a couple of notable exceptions, fractions made up of a combination of cardinal and ordinal numbers when used to refer to a proportion of something tangible (e.g. a cake); although the ordinals are not written as such (e.g. two thirds is written as 2/3 and not 2/3rd). So,


1/2 one half / a half
1/3 one third / a third, 2/3 = two thirds
1/4 one fourth / a fourth (but more typically referred to as a quarter / one quarter)
1/4 one fourth / a fourth (but more typically referred to as a quarter / one quarter)
2/4 two fourths (more typically referred to as one half / a half)
3/4 three fourth (more typically referred to as three quarters)
1/5 one fifth / a fifth, 2/5 = two fifths, 3/5 = three fifths, 4/5 = four fifths
1/5 one fifth / a fifth, 2/5 = two fifths, 3/5 = three fifths, 4/5 = four fifths
And so it continues: numerator (cardinal number)/denominator (ordinal number)
e.g 5/6 five sixths
3/32 three thirty-seconds
18/48 eighteen forty-eighths

3.用英文唸出及寫下分數的方式(II)

However, in abstract mathematical equations, both parts of a fraction are typically expressed as cardinal numbers. So, for example:


5/6 (five sixths) would be expressed as five over six

3/32 (three thirty-seconds) as three over thirty-two

18/48 (eighteen forty-eighths) as eighteen over forty-eight

4.一起來練習看看吧!

Here are some decimals and fractions for you to practice with.


465.57 743.012 4.5 56.98 306.564738
22/65 4/9 35/88 54/222 2/32
45/61 3/4 16/24 99/100 3/2