2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 148.9 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:
148.9 = 148.9/1
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.
148.9/1 =
(148.9 × 10)/(1 × 10) =
1,489/10
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
1,489/10
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).
1,489 is a prime number, it cannot be factored into other prime factors
10 = 2 × 5
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
But, the numerator and the denominator have no common factors.
GCF (1,489; 2 × 5) = 1
The numerator and the denominator are coprime numbers (no common prime factors, GCF = 1). So, the fraction cannot be reduced (simplified): irreducible fraction.
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.
1,489 ÷ 10 = 148, remainder = 9 ⇒
1,489 = 148 × 10 + 9 ⇒
1,489/10 =
(148 × 10 + 9) / 10 =
(148 × 10) / 10 + 9/10 =
148 + 9/10 =
148 9/10