2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 2.732 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:
2.732 = 2.732/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 1,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
2.732/1 =
(2.732 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
2,732/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
2,732/1,000
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).
2,732 = 22 × 683
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (22 × 683; 23 × 53) = 22
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
2,732/1,000 =
(22 × 683)/(23 × 53) =
((22 × 683) ÷ 22) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 22) =
683/(2 × 53) =
683/250