2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 2.451853 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:
2.451853 = 2.451853/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 1,000,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
2.451853/1 =
(2.451853 × 1,000,000)/(1 × 1,000,000) =
2,451,853/1,000,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
2,451,853/1,000,000
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).
2,451,853 = 509 × 4,817
1,000,000 = 26 × 56
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 (509 × 4,817; 26 × 56) = 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.
2,451,853 ÷ 1,000,000 = 2, remainder = 451,853 ⇒
2,451,853 = 2 × 1,000,000 + 451,853 ⇒
2,451,853/1,000,000 =
(2 × 1,000,000 + 451,853) / 1,000,000 =
(2 × 1,000,000) / 1,000,000 + 451,853/1,000,000 =
2 + 451,853/1,000,000 =
2 451,853/1,000,000