2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 127.58 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:
127.58 = 127.58/1
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.
127.58/1 =
(127.58 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
12,758/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
12,758/100
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).
12,758 = 2 × 6,379
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 6,379; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
12,758/100 =
(2 × 6,379)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 6,379) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
6,379/(2 × 52) =
6,379/50
4. The fraction is an improper one, rewrite it as a mixed number (mixed fraction):
- A mixed number = an integer number and a proper fraction, of the same sign.
- Example 1: 2 1/5; Example 2: - 1 3/7.
- A proper fraction = the numerator is smaller than the denominator.
6,379 ÷ 50 = 127, remainder = 29 ⇒
6,379 = 127 × 50 + 29 ⇒
6,379/50 =
(127 × 50 + 29) / 50 =
(127 × 50) / 50 + 29/50 =
127 + 29/50 =
127 29/50