Step 1: Identify the number of decimal places

The decimal 7.42284 has 5 decimal places.

Step 2: Multiply by the appropriate power of 10

Multiply by 10⁵ = 100000 to eliminate the decimal point.

7.42284 × 100000 = 742284

Step 3: Write as a fraction

Step 4: Simplify the fraction

Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 742284 and 100000.

GCD(742284, 100000) = 4

Divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCD: