A mixed fraction is the combination of a whole number and a fraction. Every fraction is made up of two numbers, written one above the other separated by a line:
- Numerator (above). It is the number of parts taken from the unit. Eg If a person takes two portions of that cake, he takes 2/5. That is, the numerator is 2.
- Denominator (down). It is the number of parts that make up the entire unit. Eg If a cake is divided into five pieces, the denominator is 5.
When the numerator is greater than the denominator, it means that there is more than one complete unit.
In those cases, the amount can be expressed through a improper fraction (fraction with numerator greater than denominator) or through a mixed fraction. A proper fraction can never be expressed as a mixed fraction.
To convert improper fractions to mixed fractions:
- Divide the numerator by the denominator.
- Write the quotient as a whole number.
- The remainder is the new numerator of the fraction (with the same denominator).
To convert mixed fractions to improper:
- Multiply the whole number by the denominator.
- Add the result to the numerator.
- The result of the addition is the new numerator of the fraction (with the same denominator).
Examples of mixed fractions
- 3 2/5 (three integers and two fifths)
- 1 2/3 (One whole and 2 thirds)
- 45 74/100 (forty-five integers and seventy-four hundredths)
- 62 3/8 (sixty-two integers and three-eighths)
- 2 5/6 = (Two integers and five sixths).
- 5 4/7 = (Five integers and four sevenths).
- 8 3/10 = (Eight integers and three tenths).
- 11 2/6 = (Eleven fifths and two sixths).
- 7 4/10 = (Seven integers and four tenths).
- 261 10/14 = (Two hundred sixty-one integers and ten fourteen).
- 8 7/16 = (Eight integers and seven sixteenths).
- 16 3/16 = (Sixteen integers and 3 sixteenths).
- 6 5/6 = (six integers and five sixths).
- 5 2/7 = (Five integers and two sevenths).
- 4 2/10 = (four integers and 2 tenths).