Download Mixed number - Frost Middle School

September 17, 2015
Improper Fractions, Mixed Numbers and Simplest Form
a
numerator
b
denominator
proper fraction: when the numerator is less than the
denominator, and it’s less than 1. Ex: ¾, ½
Improper fraction: when the numerator is greater than
the denominator, and it’s greater than 1. Ex: 4/3, 7/2
Mixed number: when there is a whole number attached
or in front of a fraction. Ex: 3 ½, 5 ¾
Simpliest form/reduce/lowest term/solve: ALWAYS have
your final answer reduced to the lowest terms possible.
1) find a common factor (or the GCF)
2) divide both the numerator and the denominator by
the GCF to find the lowest term.
Ex: 5/10 =1/2
45/63 = 15/21 = 5/7
10/12 = 5/6
2 4/3 = 10/3 = 3 1/3
How to change an improper fraction to a mixed number:
10/7
1) How many times does the denominator
(7) go into the numerator (10). That is the
whole number.
2) What is the remainder? This is the new
numerator.
3) The denominator stays the same.
10/7 = 10 divided by 7 = 1 with 3 remainder = 1 3/7
Ex: 25/3 = 8 1/3
107/9 = 11 8/9
How do you change a mixed number into an improper
fraction?
1) Multiply the denominator by the whole number. Take
the product and add it to the numerator. This answer
becomes your new numerator.
2) The denominator stays the same.
5 2/3 = (3 x 5) + 2 = 15 + 2= 17/3