2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 12.5 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:
12.5 = 12.5/1
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.
12.5/1 =
(12.5 × 10)/(1 × 10) =
125/10
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
125/10
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).
125 = 53
10 = 2 × 5
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (53; 2 × 5) = 5
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
125/10 =
53/(2 × 5) =
(53 ÷ 5) / ((2 × 5) ÷ 5) =
52/2 =
25/2