Changing an Improper Fraction to a Mixed Number

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

An improper fraction is a fraction that has a numerator, or top number, that is greater than or equal to the denominator, or bottom number.

An improper fraction can be rewritten as a mixed number. A mixed number is a whole number and a proper fraction together, such as 4½.

As you watch the video below to review these steps, write down the answers to these questions:

• What is a proper fraction?
• What is an improper fraction?
• What two ways are shown in the video on how to change an improper fraction into a mixed number?

Watch Change an Improper Fraction into a Mixed Number by Visual Math with Ms Steele:

To write an improper fraction as a whole number or mixed number:

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.
2. Write down the whole number answer.
3. If there is a remainder, write the remainder above the original denominator to create a new fraction.

Example 1

Write ⁵⁄₄ as a mixed number. Draw a picture to show that the improper fraction and the mixed number are equal.

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.

2. Write down the whole number answer. You can see in the example above the whole number is 1.

3. Write the remainder above the original denominator. The remainder is 1 and the original denominator is 4.

The improper fraction ⁵⁄₄ changes to 1¼ as a mixed number. Now, draw the picture.

1. Begin by drawing two whole rectangles.

2. The denominator of the fraction part of ⁵⁄₄ and 1¼ is 4, so divide each rectangle into fourths.

3. There is one whole figure shaded, which is ⁴⁄₄, and ¼ of the second figure shaded.

4. If you count each shaded square, there are 4 squares shaded in one figure and 1 square shaded in the other, so ⁴⁄₄ + ¼ = ⁵⁄₄. The improper fraction that represents this figure is ⁵⁄₄.

Example 2

At the beginning of the lesson, you were given the following problem:

The cake recipe requires ⁸⁄₃ cup of sugar. How many full cups of sugar will you need? How do you write ⁸⁄₃ as a mixed number?

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.

2. Write down the whole number answer.

3. If there is a remainder, write the remainder above the original denominator to create a new fraction.

The improper fraction ⁸⁄₃ is equal to 2²⁄₃. You will need 2 full cups of sugar.

In your own words, explain what an improper fraction is.

• What three steps are followed to change an improper fraction to a mixed number?

In the Got It? section, practice changing improper fractions to mixed numbers with interactive games and practice.