Algorithm for detecting repeating decimals?

Question

Is there an algorithm for figuring out the following things?

1. If the result of a division is a repeating decimal (in binary).
2. If it repeats, at what di

Answer 1

To find the repeating pattern, just keep track of the values you use along the line:

1/5 = 1/101:

1 < 101 => 0
(decimal separator here)
10 < 101 => 0
100 < 101 => 0
1000 >= 101 => 1

  1000 - 101 = 11

110 >= 101 => 1

  110 - 101 = 1

10 -> match

As you reach the same value as you had at the second bit, the process will just repeat from that point producing the same bit pattern over and over. You have the pattern "0011" repeating from the second bit (first after decimal separator).

If you want the pattern to start with a "1", you can just rotate it until it matches that condition:

"0011" from the second bit
"0110" from the third bit
"1100" from the fourth bit

Edit:
Example in C#:

void FindPattern(int n1, int n2) {
   int digit = -1;
   while (n1 >= n2) {
      n2 <<= 1;
      digit++;
   }
   Dictionary states = new Dictionary();
   bool found = false;
   while (n1 > 0 || digit >= 0) {
      if (digit == -1) Console.Write('.');
      n1 <<= 1;
      if (states.ContainsKey(n1)) {
         Console.WriteLine(digit >= 0 ? new String('0', digit + 1) : String.Empty);
         Console.WriteLine("Repeat from digit {0} length {1}.", states[n1], states[n1] - digit);
         found = true;
         break;
      }
      states.Add(n1, digit);
      if (n1 < n2) {
         Console.Write('0');
      } else {
         Console.Write('1');
         n1 -= n2;
      }
      digit--;
   }
   if (!found) {
      Console.WriteLine();
      Console.WriteLine("No repeat.");
   }
}

Called with your examples it outputs:

.1
No repeat.
.01
Repeat from digit -1 length 2.
.10
Repeat from digit -1 length 2.
1.0
Repeat from digit 0 length 2.
.0011
Repeat from digit -1 length 4.