Transcript Slide 1
Converting
Improper Fractions
Into
Mixed Numbers
Sometimes we get fractions where the
numerator is bigger than the denominator.
When this occurs we call the fraction an
improper fraction.
9
4
numerator
Denominator
We call it an improper fraction because
that’s not how people typically talk.
Hey, I’ve
collected 15
quarters
9
4
Dude, I ate 5
halves of candy
bars yesterday
We call it an improper fraction because
that’s not how people typically talk. We tend
to talk using a mix of whole numbers and
fractions when possible.
Hey, I’ve
collected 3
dollars and 75
cents
9
4
Dude, I ate two
and a half of
candy bars
yesterday
So, how do we convert an improper
fraction to a mixed number?
Before we start we need to remember how
we get improper fractions in the first place.
9
4
When we add fractions we have to
remember that the denominator stays the
same and we simply add the numerators
together
1 + 2 = 1+2 = 3
5 5
5
5
If the numerators are big it can result is an
improper fraction.
4 + 3 = 4+3 = 7
5 5
5
5
So to convert an improper fraction to a
mixed number we need to work backwards
and figure out the addition problem that
created the situation.
? + ? = ?+? = 9
7 7
7
7
While there are lots of different combinations
that would give us the numerator we want,
we should choose the one that results in a
whole number.
5 + 4 = 5+4 = 9
7 7
7
7
While there are lots of different combinations
that would give us the numerator we want,
we should choose the one that results in a
whole number.
6 + 3 = 6+3 = 9
7 7
7
7
While there are lots of different combinations
that would give us the numerator we want,
we should choose the one that results in a
whole number.
7 + 2 = 7+2 = 9
7 7
7
7
We want to choose this combination
because we can convert this to a whole
number.
7 + 2 = 7+2 = 9
7 7
7
7
We want to choose this combination
because we can convert this to a whole
number.
7 + 2 = 7+2 = 9
1
7 7
7
7
We have now successfully converted an
improper fraction into a mixed number.
2=9
17 7
Some times the numerator is large enough
to pull more than one whole from the
numerator.
? +? + ?= 9
4 4
4 4
Some times the numerator is large enough
to pull more than one whole from the
numerator.
4 +4 + 1= 9
4 4
4 4
In this case we create as many whole
numbers as possible.
4 +4 + 1= 9
1
1
4 4
4 4
We finish things off by combining the whole
numbers.
1 9
=
24 4