What is an Improper Fraction?

Hi Bailey! Let’s break down what improper fractions are. An improper fraction is a type of fraction where the top number (called the numerator) is larger than or equal to the bottom number (called the denominator).

Let’s look at an example:

Imagine you have the fraction 7/4. Here, 7 is the numerator and 4 is the denominator. Since 7 is greater than 4, this fraction is considered improper.

Why do we use Improper Fractions?

Improper fractions can show things that are greater than 1 whole. For instance, if you have 7 pieces of chocolate and you want to share them equally among 4 friends, each friend gets 7/4 of a piece, which is more than one whole piece!

Converting Improper Fractions:

You might often want to convert improper fractions into mixed numbers, which are easier to understand. A mixed number combines a whole number and a fraction.

For example:

To convert 7/4 into a mixed number, divide 7 by 4. The result is:

• 7 ÷ 4 = 1 (This is the whole number part)
• The remainder is 3 (that’s what’s left over)

So, 7/4 can be written as 1 3/4 (which means 1 whole and 3 parts out of 4).

Practice Makes Perfect!

Why not give it a try? Can you find out if the following fractions are improper? 5/3, 2/2, and 3/5? Remember, if the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator, it’s an improper fraction!

Wrapping Up

Improper fractions are great for showing amounts greater than one, and converting them into mixed numbers can make them easier to work with. Keep practicing, and you’ll be a pro at understanding fractions in no time!