Format Exact Fractions with Parenthesized Repeating Digits
Company: Goldman Sachs
Role: Software Engineer
Category: Coding & Algorithms
Difficulty: medium
Interview Round: Other
### Problem
Return the decimal representation of `numerator/denominator` as a string. Enclose a repeating fractional part in parentheses. If the fraction has a finite decimal representation, return a finite representation. When more than one valid representation is possible, any is acceptable.
```cpp
string fractionToDecimal(int numerator, int denominator);
```
### Examples
```text
Input: numerator = 2, denominator = 7
One valid output: "0.(285714)"
```
The representation `"0.2(857142)"` also has the same repeating decimal value.
```text
Input: numerator = 7, denominator = -4
Output: "-1.75"
```
### Constraints & Assumptions
- Both arguments span the signed 32-bit range.
- The denominator is nonzero.
- The source guarantees that an answer string has length less than 10000.
- A terminating fraction must not be replaced by an infinite repeating representation.
### What a Strong Answer Covers
- Exact sign, integer part and fractional digits, including minimum signed inputs.
- Identification of a repeated remainder and correct parenthesis placement.
- Finite termination, zero, and work proportional to produced digits.
### Follow-up Questions
- What should be returned for a zero numerator and negative denominator?
- Why does a repeated remainder identify the repeating digits?
Overview: Render exact signed fractions with finite decimals or parenthesized repeating digits using remainder-based long division.
Format Exact Fractions with Parenthesized Repeating Digits
Goldman Sachs
Source window: 0–6 months · as of Oct 21, 2026
mediumSoftware EngineerOtherCoding & Algorithms
1
0
Problem
Return the decimal representation of numerator/denominator as a string. Enclose a repeating fractional part in parentheses. If the fraction has a finite decimal representation, return a finite representation. When more than one valid representation is possible, any is acceptable.
string fractionToDecimal(int numerator, int denominator);