2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 12.38 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:
12.38 = 12.38/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 100.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
12.38/1 =
(12.38 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
1,238/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
1,238/100
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).
1,238 = 2 × 619
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 619; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
1,238/100 =
(2 × 619)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 619) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
619/(2 × 52) =
619/50