Step 1: Identify the number of decimal places

The decimal 2.542 has 3 decimal places.

Step 2: Multiply by the appropriate power of 10

Multiply by 10³ = 1000 to eliminate the decimal point.

2.542 × 1000 = 2542

Step 3: Write as a fraction

Step 4: Simplify the fraction

Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 2542 and 1000.

GCD(2542, 1000) = 2

Divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCD: