2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 2.4 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:
2.4 = 2.4/1
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.
2.4/1 =
(2.4 × 10)/(1 × 10) =
24/10
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
24/10
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).
24 = 23 × 3
10 = 2 × 5
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (23 × 3; 2 × 5) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
24/10 =
(23 × 3)/(2 × 5) =
((23 × 3) ÷ 2) / ((2 × 5) ÷ 2) =
(22 × 3)/5 =
12/5