Recurring Decimal Notation

Date: 05/12/2003 at 13:10:30
From: Thomas.Kenning
Subject: Infinite geometric series

Nb. the dots represent that the number with a dot on the top means it 
has repetition

Sample: 
  ..
4.32 = 4.323232323232

  .
0.3 = 0.333333333

The question is:
  . .
0.321 = ?

For the last question there was no dot on top of the 2, only on top of 
the 3 and the 1.

Date: 05/12/2003 at 15:02:38
From: Doctor Peterson
Subject: Re: Infinite geometric series

Hi, Thomas.

In America, the usual notation for a repeating decimal is to put a bar 
(vinculum) over the entire repeating portion:
     ___
  0.1234 = 0.1234234234...

In some parts of the world (the British part?), a dot is placed over 
the FIRST and LAST digits in the repetend:
     . .
  0.1234 = 0.1234234234...

It is not just the 2 and the 4 that repeat, but the entire string 
"234" between them.

If you have any further questions, feel free to write back.

- Doctor Peterson, The Math Forum
  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/