2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 2.42229 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:
2.42229 = 2.42229/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 100,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
2.42229/1 =
(2.42229 × 100,000)/(1 × 100,000) =
242,229/100,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
242,229/100,000
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).
242,229 = 3 × 13 × 6,211
100,000 = 25 × 55
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 (3 × 13 × 6,211; 25 × 55) = 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.
242,229 ÷ 100,000 = 2, remainder = 42,229 ⇒
242,229 = 2 × 100,000 + 42,229 ⇒
242,229/100,000 =
(2 × 100,000 + 42,229) / 100,000 =
(2 × 100,000) / 100,000 + 42,229/100,000 =
2 + 42,229/100,000 =
2 42,229/100,000