Why 1.2 Is Written to the Tenths Place
One digit follows the decimal point, so that digit counts tenths. In 1.2, the final digit 2 represents 2/10.
Decimal in the tenths place
1.2 in Words
1.2 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It has 1 decimal place, and its final digit is in the tenths place.
Direct Answer
1.2 in words is one point two.
1.2 Place-Value Breakdown
The digits 1 form the whole-number part, while 2 in the tenth place.
| Part | Digit | Place | Digit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole part | 1 | ones | 1 |
| Decimal part | 2 | tenth | 2/10 |
What Kind of Decimal Is 1.2?
1.2 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It is written to the tenths place.
Expanded Form of 1.2
1.2 = 1 + 2/10
1.2 = 1 1/5
The final nonzero digit is in the tenths place, so its value is expressed with a denominator of 10.
How 1.2 Simplifies to 6/5
1.2 = 12/10
The greatest common divisor of 12 and 10 is 2.
12 ÷ 2 = 6
10 ÷ 2 = 5
Therefore, 12/10 = 6/5.
As a mixed fraction, the value is 1 1/5.
1.2 as a Percentage
To convert 1.2 to a percentage, multiply it by 100.
1.2 × 100 = 120
Therefore, 1.2 = 120%.
Decimals Equivalent to 1.2
1.2 = 1.20 = 1.200
Adding zeros to the right of a decimal does not change its numerical value. It does change the number of written decimal places and may communicate different precision.
| Decimal | Final place | Exact fraction | Simplified value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | tenths | 12/10 | 6/5 |
| 1.20 | hundredths | 120/100 | 6/5 |
| 1.200 | thousandths | 1200/1000 | 6/5 |
A Familiar Fraction Equivalent
The reduced form 6/5 is a commonly used fraction. The decimal form is convenient for calculation, while the fraction shows the exact part-to-whole relationship.
Whole Part and Fractional Part
This mixed decimal combines the whole part 1 with the fractional part 2/10. In place-value words, "and" marks that boundary.
1.2 on a Number Line
1.2 lies between 1 and 2. It is 0.8 below 2 and 0.2 above 1.
11.22
1.2 Compared with Similar Decimals
| Decimal | Spoken form | Place-value form | Fraction | Percentage | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.12 | zero point one two | twelve hundredths | 3/25 | 12% | ten times smaller than 1.2 |
| 1.2 | one point two | one and two tenths | 6/5 | 120% | current value |
| 1.20 | one point two zero | one and twenty hundredths | 6/5 | 120% | same numerical value, written to the hundredths place |
| 12.0 | twelve point zero | twelve | 12 | 1200% | ten times larger than 1.2 |
Quick Practice
How is 1.2 read digit by digit?
One point two.
What is the place-value word form of 1.2?
One and two tenths.
What fraction is 1.2 in lowest terms?
6/5.
What percentage is equal to 1.2?
120%.
What is 1.2 as a mixed fraction?
1 1/5.
Between which whole numbers does 1.2 lie?
Between 1 and 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write 1.2 in words?
1.2 in words is one point two.
Why is 1.2 called one and two tenths?
Because the digit 2 is in the tenths place. Therefore, 1.2 represents one and two tenths.
What fraction is 1.2?
1.2 is 12/10 exactly and 6/5 in lowest terms.
Can 12/10 be simplified?
Yes. Divide its numerator and denominator by 2 to get 6/5.
What percentage is 1.2?
1.2 is equal to 120%.
Is 1.2 the same as 1.20?
Yes. 1.2 and 1.20 have the same numerical value. However, 1.2 is written to the tenths place, while 1.20 is written to the hundredths place and may communicate greater recorded precision.
Is 1.2 larger than 0.12?
Yes. 1.2 is ten times as large as 0.12.
What type of decimal is 1.2?
1.2 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It is written to 1 decimal place and represents one and two tenths.