2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 1.6 can be written as an improper fraction.
- An improper fraction = the numerator is larger than or equal to the denominator..
Write down the number divided by 1, as a fraction:
1.6 = 1.6/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 10.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
1.6/1 =
(1.6 × 10)/(1 × 10) =
16/10
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
16/10
to the lowest terms, to its simplest equivalent form, irreducible.
To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Factor the numerator and denominator (prime factorization).
16 = 24
10 = 2 × 5
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (24; 2 × 5) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
16/10 =
24/(2 × 5) =
(24 ÷ 2) / ((2 × 5) ÷ 2) =
23/5 =
8/5