Step 1:
The first step to converting 278.72178571438 to a fraction is to re-write 278.72178571438 in the form p/q where p and q are both positive integers. To start with, 278.72178571438 can be written as simply 278.72178571438/1 to technically be written as a fraction.
Step 2:
Next, we will count the number of fractional digits after the decimal point in 278.72178571438, which in this case is 11. For however many digits after the decimal point there are, we will multiply the numerator and denominator of 278.72178571438/1 each by 10 to the power of that many digits. So, in this case, we will multiply the numerator and denominator of 278.72178571438/1 each by 100000000000:
Step 3:
Now the last step is to simplify the fraction (if possible) by finding similar factors and cancelling them out, which leads to the following answer for 278.72178571438 as a fraction:
32053/115 / 1