Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using a model
• Tips

Fractions are numbers that represent parts of whole numbers. If a fraction has a numerator greater than the denominator, it is called an "improper fraction" and can be simplified to a mixed number (a number that combines an integer and a fraction). There is nothing wrong with an improper fraction, and in fact in math it is often easier to work with than with a mixed number - however in our daily life we ​​use mixed numbers more often than improper fractions so it is helpful to know how to make them.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using a model

1. Determine if your fraction is spurious. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than the denominator.
   • For instance: ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Consider the denominator. The denominator is the number under the fraction bar. It tells you how many equal pieces a whole is divided into.
     • For example: in the fraction ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Check out the counter. The numerator is the number above the fraction bar. It tells you how many pieces you have.
       • For example: in the fraction ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Draw circles to represent the whole. Divide each whole by the denominator of your fraction.
         • For example, if your denominator is 4, divide each circle you draw into four equal pieces, or quarters.
       • Shade the pieces according to your counter. The number in the counter tells you how many pieces to shade.
         • For example: if the fraction ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Count how many whole circles you shade. To simplify an improper fraction, you need to make it a mixed number, which includes a whole number and a fraction together. The number of whole circles you hatch represents the whole number of your mixed fraction. Write this number down.
           • For example: in the fraction ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Count how many parts of a whole you have shaded. The remaining shaded parts will represent the fraction in your mixed number. Write this fraction next to your whole number, and you have your mixed number.
             • In the break ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Simplify your answer, if necessary. Sometimes the fraction of your mixed number will need to be simplified before you reach the final answer.
               • For example: as the mixed number ${ displaystyle 2 { frac {2} {4}}}$Determine if your fraction is spurious. An improper fraction is a fraction that has a larger numerator than the denominator.
                 • For instance: ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Divide the numerator by the denominator. Remember that the line in a fraction can be interpreted as a dash. To simplify an improper fraction, you need to make it a mixed number - an integer with a fraction. The number of times you can evenly divide the numerator by the denominator will be the whole number of your mixed number. Write this number down along with the rest.
                   • The denominator does not completely fit in the numerator. The remainder is then the fraction of your mixed number.
                   • For example: the fraction ${ displaystyle { frac {10} {4}}}$Make a fraction of the rest. To do this, take the remainder and place it above the denominator of the original improper fraction. Place this new fraction after the whole number, and you have your mixed number.
                     • For instance: ${ displaystyle 10 div 4 = 2R2}$Simplify your answer, if necessary. Sometimes the fraction of your mixed number will need to be simplified before you reach your final answer.
                       • For example: if ${ displaystyle 2 { frac {2} {4}}}$ is the mixed number, then you can simplify this to ${ displaystyle 2 { frac {1} {2}}}$.

Tips

• To convert a mixed number back to an improper fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator and add the product to the numerator.
• Save the denominator. For instance: ${ displaystyle 2 { frac {1} {2}}}$ can be rewritten as ${ displaystyle { frac {5} {2}}}$because ${ displaystyle 2 times 2 + 1 = 5}$.
• Improper fractions can also sometimes represent integers, such as ${ displaystyle { frac {24} {3}}}$.