Fractions - An Introduction
Objective 3: Changing mixed numbers to improper fractions.
Just a quick reminder of this objective.
Example 1:
The mixed number 3
2
5
Since 3 can be written as
is really equivalent to 3 +
15
5
So: The mixed number 3
2
5
we then have
2
5
15
2
17
+ =
5
5
5
is equivalent to the improper fraction
17
5
There is an easier way to change a mixed number to an improper fraction.
Step 1. Multiply the denominator of the fraction times the whole number
Step 2. Add this result to the numerator of the fraction.
Step 3. This answer becomes the numerator of the fraction.
Using: 3
2
5
I would multiply the denominator (5) times the whole number (3)
Then I would add the result (15) to the numerator.
The improper fraction is
17
.
5
Objective 4: Change improper fractions to mixed numbers.
Example: Change the improper fraction
17
to a mixed number.
5
Step 1: Divide the denominator into the numerator:
3
5 17
5 17
Quotient
3
5 17
- 15
2 Remainder
Step 2: The quotient becomes the whole number part of the mixed number.
The remainder becomes the numerator of the fraction.
3
2
5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Practice:
1. Change the following mixed numbers to improper fractions:
a. 2
2
5
b. 4
1
3
c. 3
3
4
2. Change the following improper fractions to mixed numbers:
a. 2
2
5
b. 4
1
3
c. 3
3
4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers:
1. a.
12
5
2. a. 3
3
5
b.
13
3
b. 2
2
7
c.
15
4
c. 3
1
4