Fractions or Decimals

[905934067]

When balancing chemical reactions, I remember Lavelle saying how we should use fractions in our balanced chemical reactions. However, I have seen some cases from independent learning and discussion section examples where decimals are used. Was this just because it was more convenient in that time maybe? On the final if this comes up, should we always use fractions like (11/2) rather than decimals (5.5). Thank you so much anything is helpful since my memory is hazy on this!

[Taylor_Pikhart_2I]

I believe if it was mentioned in class to use fractions, then you should use fractions on the final. Fractions are commonly used more than decimals in balancing chemical equations.

[Katie L 2I]

In balanced chemical equations, whole number integers are preferred. Writing the coefficients as fractions may help more than decimals when deciding what to multiply the chemical equation by.

[905934067]

Oh true that would make that last step quicker. Okay thank you so much both of you!