Question

Describe and correct the error in writing the repeating decimal 5.07878… using a bar.

Short answer

The correct repeating decimal will be $5.07878...=5.0\overline{78}$

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information

Consider the number $5.07878...=5.\overline{078}$

Step 2. Calculation 

In a repeating decimal the bar is placed over the number which repeated, but in $5.07878...=5.\overline{078}$the bar is placed over digit $078$which is wrong because the digit 78 only repeated so bar will placed only on digit 78.

Hence,

The correct repeating decimal will be $5.07878...=5.0\overline{78}$