What is an improper fraction?
An improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator, (the top number) is greater than the denominator (the bottom number). Like in a fraction a/b, it is improper when a>b and b not zero.
For example, 5/3 is an improper fraction (5>3)
Improper fractions can be written as a mixed number, mixed number is a fraction in which we have a whole part and fraction part. 3 ½ is a mixed number, with 3 as the whole part and ½ , the fraction part
Let us convert a mixed numbers to improper fractions.
To convert a mixed number to improper fraction, we first find the product of the whole part and the denominator and then add the numerator to this product. This gives us the numerator of the improper fraction, the denominator remains the same
Convert the mixed number, 5 ¾ to an improper fraction
(5=whole part, 3=numerator, 4=denominator)
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| Improper Fraction example |
Product = (whole part x denominator) = (5 x 4) = 20
then, we add the numerator to the product
= 20 +3 = 23 (numerator)
While converting, the denominator remains the same
So, the improper fraction will be 23/4
Converting improper fraction to mixed number
Example: Convert the improper fraction, 8/3 to a mixed number
To convert, we need to divide the improper fraction using the long division method. The quotient will be the whole part, the remainder the numerator and the denominator remains the same
When we divide 8 with 3, we get
Quotient = 2 and remainder = 2
So, the required improper fraction would be 2 ⅔
(2 is the whole part, ⅔ is the fraction part)
Improper fraction to mixed number
To understand the converting of an improper fraction to a mixed number, let us take a look at the example given below:
Convert the improper fraction 24/5 to mixed number
Divide 24 with 5 using the long division method
24 ÷ 5 = 4 (quotient) Remainder = 4
The mixed number is written as 4 4/5
