2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 2.55 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:
2.55 = 2.55/1
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.
2.55/1 =
(2.55 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
255/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
255/100
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).
255 = 3 × 5 × 17
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (3 × 5 × 17; 22 × 52) = 5
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
255/100 =
(3 × 5 × 17)/(22 × 52) =
((3 × 5 × 17) ÷ 5) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 5) =
(3 × 17)/(22 × 5) =
51/20