What Are Improper Fractions?

Hi Bailey! Today, we're going to learn about improper fractions. An improper fraction is a special kind of fraction where the top number (called the numerator) is bigger than or equal to the bottom number (called the denominator).

Examples of Improper Fractions

Let’s look at some examples:

• 5/3: Here, 5 is the numerator, and 3 is the denominator. Since 5 is greater than 3, this is an improper fraction.
• 7/7: In this case, the numerator and denominator are equal, so it’s also an improper fraction.
• 9/4: Again, since 9 is greater than 4, this fraction is improper.

Why Use Improper Fractions?

Sometimes, it's useful to write numbers as improper fractions because they can be easier to work with in calculations, especially when adding or subtracting fractions.

Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers

You might often hear about mixed numbers, which are made up of a whole number and a proper fraction. To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number, follow these steps:

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.
2. The whole number part of the answer is the whole number in your mixed number.
3. The remainder becomes the new numerator, and you keep the same denominator.

Example of Conversion

Let’s convert 7/3:

1. 7 divided by 3 is 2 with a remainder of 1.
2. The whole number part is 2.
3. The remainder is 1, which becomes the new numerator, so we write it over the original denominator, 3.

So, 7/3 can be written as 2 1/3.

Practice Makes Perfect!

If you have some improper fractions, you can practice converting them to mixed numbers! Remember, it’s all about comparing the numerator and denominator. If the numerator is larger, you've got an improper fraction!

Have fun learning about fractions, Bailey!